Get the Skills to Become a Community Mental Health Worker
Community Mental Health Worker Training in as Little as 22 Weeks Online OR On Campus
Community Mental Health Workers are individuals who specialize in providing support, assessment, and treatment to people experiencing mental health issues or emotional distress. They play an important role in promoting mental well-being and helping individuals cope with various psychological challenges.
If you’re a caring, compassionate person with a strong desire to help others, you could be well-suited to succeed as a Community Mental Health Worker.
Why Upskilling is Essential in Today’s Job Market
Like many Canadians, you may be concerned about the rising cost of living and the need to find ways to increase your income potential. If you’re looking to stay ahead of the curve, training to obtain new qualifications could be a great solution.
Discovery Community College is dedicated to offering convenient, supportive, and affordable career training. With a range of funding options available, there has never been a better time to invest in upskilling. Contact us today to learn how we can help you get ahead in today’s job market.
Community Mental Health Worker
22-Week Certificate | $47,840 median annual salary*
- Expected Job Openings in BC (2022-2032): 11,460**
- Occupations include Mental Health Worker, Support Worker
NOC 2021 code 42201
*https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/marketreport/wages-occupation/5080/BC visited on August 1, 2023. Salary source for mental health workers in British Columbia with the lowest 10% earning $38,168 to the highest 10% of workers earning $64,480.
**https://www.workbc.ca/career-profiles/social-and-community-service-workers visited on August 1, 2023.
Becoming a Qualified Community Mental Health Worker
If you’re looking for a rewarding and fulfilling career, look no further than a career in mental health. At Discovery Community College, we’re proud of our history of trainee success.
During the Community Mental Health course, you will learn:
- Communication
- Life Span Development
- Mental Health
- Professional Growth
- And more!
Career Opportunities
This program provides learners with the skills, knowledge, and attitudes required to work in areas of frontline addiction and mental health response. Ready-to-work graduates of Mental Health Worker programs are qualified to work in areas such as:
- Rehabilitation Clinics
- Safe Injection Sites
- Missions
- Shelters
- And more!
There has never been more funding for career training than there is right now. A variety of funding opportunities may be available to you, including WorkBC, Student Aid BC, and employment grants. An experienced Financial Aid Representative is available to answer any questions you may have, can assist with potential funding applications and help you discover the best options for your specific needs.
Is a Career as a Mental Health Worker Right for You? Take the Discovery Community College “Mental Health Worker Career Training Readiness Quiz”
This fun, online quiz takes 3 minutes to complete and you’ll get a personalized report. Identify your strengths and social style plus the training and positions you’re best suited for. Get your Mental Health Worker career training readiness score now >>
Community Support Worker: Community Mental Health Certificate
Total: 454 hours, 22 weeks
- Introduction to Microsoft Computer (60 hours)
- Workshops: Standard First Aid (16 hours) and FoodSafe Level 1 (8 hours)
- Communication (supportive) (76 hours)
- Life Span Development (48 hours)
- Mental Health (140 hours)
- Professional Growth (36 hours)
- CSW – Community Mental Health (300 hours)
- Practicum Placement (100 hours)
Communication (supportive) (76 hours)
- learn to interact with individuals who require assistance in ways that actively support
- use communication skills that support and empower differently abled adults to live self-directed lives
Life Span Development (48 hours)
- identify the challenges and recognize the conditions affecting the life span development of adults
- provide appropriate support
Mental Health (140 hours)
- apply your knowledge of conditions affecting the mental health of adults and use your knowledge of broad range of psychiatric illnesses and development challenges to support adults who are differently abled
Professional Growth (36 hours)
- review your employability skills and practice job research techniques
- update your résumé and cover letter, review the developed portfolio, and use employment related skills or business skills to attain and maintain your career
Introduction to Microsoft Computer Skills
The focus in this short program is on helping trainees to learn and practice their computer skills:
- Introduction to Windows (6 hours)
- MS Outlook (8 hours)
- MS Word (30 hours)
- MS PowerPoint (16 hours)
Community Support Worker –
Community Mental Health Certificate
Community Support Worker – Community Mental Health Certificate Curriculum Guide
The focus of the Community Mental Health Certificate in BC is on adults who require assistance in a community and or supportive environment.
Locations:
Delivery: On campus & online with practicum placements in your local community.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must meet these requirements prior to acceptance into the program:
• Grade 12 graduation from BC secondary school or equivalent (ABE)*, or equivalent* from another school system OR be a mature applicant (must be 19 years old on the first day of class)
• If a mature applicant, then provide proof of completion of grade 10 English from a BC secondary school or equivalent* from another school system or complete one of the following assessments:
Accuplacer
• Next generation reading minimum score 230
• Next generation writing minimum score 230
Canadian Language Benchmark Placement Test (CLB PT) within the last year
• Listening 6
• Speaking 6
• Reading 6
• Writing 6
International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
- Academic or General test within the last two years
• Overall band score of 5.5 with a minimum score of 5.5 in each of speaking, listening, writing, reading.
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
• Overall score of 46-59
• Reading 8-12
• Writing 18-20
• Speaking 16-17
• Listening 7-11
Applicants must meet with a DCC official and complete the required documents.
*Equivalent:
For detailed information about equivalencies please speak with your DCC Admissions Advisor. Entrance requirements may be met with evidence of secondary and post-secondary studies at an equivalent level, and/or with successful assessment testing.
Criminal Record Checks
Discovery Community College will submit each applicant’s criminal record check (CRC) on-line to the Criminal Record Review Program (CRRP). The status of the CRC does not automatically prevent an applicant from attending this program. However, any CRC that reveals “relevant” offences may limit work experience options.
Some work experience hosts may require their own RCMP criminal record check. It is the student’s responsibility to provide this directly to the host. We recommend that students apply to the RCMP for their criminal record check at the start of their first semester. If the criminal record check reveals information that raises concerns relevant to the placement the host may decline the placement.
Immunizations
Some work experience hosts require that students have a negative TB skin test or chest x-ray. It is the student’s responsibility to book this test at least six weeks before their work experience. Not having this test may restrict your choice of work experience host.
You should have a negative skin test dated within six months of the work experience placement. If you had a positive skin test (10 mm of induration or greater) at your last test, then a negative chest x-ray within one year of the placement is required.
Important Note
The Community Support Worker program is not equivalent to, or recognized as, a BC Health Care Assistant program. Graduates are not eligible for registration with the BC Care Aide & Community Health Worker Registry (BC CACHWR).
Domestic Fees:
Community Support Worker –
Community Mental Health Certificate Fees
Application Fee: $100.00
Criminal Record Check Fee: $28.00
Tuition Fee: $8,812.00
Textbooks & Supplies: $347.78
Total: $9,306.22
International Pricing:
Community Support Worker:
Community Mental Health Certificate (International) Fees
Application Fee: $150.00
Criminal Record Check Fee: $28.00
Tuition Fee: $11,346.1
Textbooks & Supplies: $347.78
Total: $11,890.32
Practical “On-The-Job” Training
At Discovery, we believe that you should not only complete training with theoretical knowledge, but with real experience in the industry. That’s why learners in the Mental Health Worker program will complete a practicum placement during their training.
Your internship enables you to apply what you’ve learned in a real setting and gain not only experience to put on your resume, but also industry connections, references, and confidence. We help you feel supported by making sure that our program gives you access to all the tools you need to secure your first job and build your career.
Convenient Learning Options
At Discovery Community College, you don’t have to put your life on hold to start career training. We offer accessible learning including on-campus, online and blended on-campus and online learning options.
Many of our learners are raising families and some continue to work while training. We will help you choose a schedule that works for you.
International Learners
As an international learner training at Discovery Community College, our co-op based training programs allows you to gain real-world experience in the community with a cooperative work experience placement upon completion of the program.
Over 35 Years of Success
Discovery Community College has been training learners just like you for successful careers for over 35 years. Our college is a well-respected institution, who has formed alliances with numerous community partners. We are also registered with and designated by the Private Training Institutions Branch of British Columbia, formally PPSEC, since 1996.
Is a Rewarding Career as a Mental Health Worker Right For You?
If you’re interested in learning more about Mental Health Worker training and exploring whether this might be the career path for you, fill out the form on this page to receive more information.
Our friendly and knowledgeable Admissions Representatives are happy to answer any questions you may have and can help with everything from courses to financial aid.
To speak with an Admissions Rep right away, give us a call at 1-877-315-5241.