Diploma of Mental Health Online

Who is this online course for?

The CHC53315 Diploma of Mental Health Online would suit those who are looking to develop specialist skills to work with clients who face challenges with their mental health. It would also appeal to those who have some work or volunteer experience in community services or health and want to branch out into mental health work.

What will you learn online?

You will learn how to offer support to people from varied backgrounds and how to assist those who may have mental health, alcohol and drug issues. There will be advice on skills and techniques which you can implement to promote recovery and well-being. You will further develop your skills on health and safety and decision making.

Possible career opportunities

• Community Rehabilitation and Support Worker:  This involves working with clients to develop skills for independent living and community participation.
• Community Support Worker:  Duties can include providing individual and group support to clients with disabilities, mental health issues and the aged.
• Mental Health Intake Officer: Responsibilities can include assessing clients with mental health issues and making referrals to the most appropriate services.
• Mental Health Outreach Worker: Duties can include working with clients in the community to develop support plans and identifying services that will assist them.
• Mental Health Rehabilitation Support Worker: Duties can include assisting clients with disabilities to develop life skills and participate in the community.

Why study this course online?

This online qualification reflects the role of workers who provide services to clients in relation to mental health issues. They can provide working with diverse people, collaboration, recovery orientated approaches, advocacy and education/health promotion services. These workers are required to have high level specialist knowledge, skills and competencies especially in regard to laws affecting people with mental health issues, the range of services available to them and health issues related to mental health.

The requirements for this online qualification includes a minimum of 160 hours of work placement to achieve the online course outcomes for the following units of competency:
Learners are required to complete 160 hours of work placement in a suitable facility.
If a learner is currently in the industry some sign off will be accepted from their current workplace. For learners who do not currently have a suitable workplace, Hader Institute of Education will assist the learner to find a suitable facility.
The learner will utilise a work placement log book to record their hours of work placement. The learner is required to sign a confidentiality agreement with the facility.

By completing this online course, you will learn how to offer support to people from varied backgrounds and how to assist those who may have mental health, alcohol and drug issues. There will be advice given on the skills and techniques you can implement to promote recovery and well-being. You will also develop your skills on health and safety and decision making.

STUDENT ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Have completed their education to a level which is equivalent to an Australian Senior High School Year 12 or has completed anAQF Certificate IV in Mental Health.
• Have suitable language, literacy and numeracy skills to read and comprehend learning materials and perform tasks related to recording workplace documents including reading and writing detailed reports, case notes, reports and other documents, interpreting workplace policy and procedure and reporting hazards. Learners are required to pass an online LLN assessment test at or above level 3 in reading, writing and numeracy.
• Be capable of completing 160 hours of work placement in a suitable health facility.
• Have sound computer skills to navigate simple software to complete the online component of this course and must be able to use intermediate level Word features in order produce and present word-processed documents/ reports.
• Have access to a laptop and internet to complete this online course.
• Hold the required criminal and working with children checks (if applicable) or be able to apply for a police check if required prior to the commencement of work placement if required.
• These entry requirements will be confirmed through information collected on the enrolment form and during the enrolment interview.

HOW WILL YOU LEARN ONLINE?

This is a blended online delivery model which incorporates Trainer led synchronous online zoom classroom sessions for 3 hours per week for 44 weeks in the evening, a monthly one-hour one-on-one mentoring session with your trainer (zoom, phone) and 160 hours of work placement, plus you will need to complete 22 hours per week for 44 weeks undertaking structured self-paced study. All online learning and assessment materials are accessed via the student online portal. You will have the support of an online trainer & assessor throughout your studies.

Enquire about Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) options if you are in the industry.

For more information about the many benefits of online learning with us at Hader Institute of Education, simply submit your details online or call now on (03) 8362 3113.

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To successfully acheive the CHC53315 Diploma in Mental Health Online you must complete a total of 20 units including 15 core units and five elective units.

Core Units

CHCADV005: Provide systems advocacy services
CHCDIV001: Work with diverse people
CHCDIV002: Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety
CHCMHS002: Establish self-directed recovery relationships
CHCMHS003: Provide recovery oriented mental health services
CHCMHS004: Work collaboratively with the care network and other services
CHCMHS005: Provide services to people with co-existing mental health and alcohol and other drugs issues
CHCMHS009: Provide early intervention, health prevention and promotion programs
CHCMHS010: Implement recovery oriented approaches to complexity
CHCMHS011: Assess and promote social, emotional and physical wellbeing
CHCMHS012: Provide support to develop wellness plans and advanced directives
CHCMHS013: Implement trauma informed care
CHCPOL003: Research and apply evidence to practice
CHCPRP003: Reflect on and improve own professional practice
HLTWHS004: Manage work health and safety

Electives

CHCAOD004: Assess needs of clients with alcohol and other drugs issues
CHCCCS019: Recognise and respond to crisis situations
CHCPRP001: Develop and maintain networks and collaborative partnerships
CHCPRP002: Collaborate in professional practice
HLTWHS006: Manage personal stressors in the work environment

Course Unit Descriptions

CHCADV005 Provide systems advocacy services

Course Details

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to provide systems advocacy services.

It applies to workers who work within networks of organisations, or as part of an advocacy organisation.

They work autonomously and exercise judgement in selecting strategies to achieve desired outcomes.

Students will be required to:

• Develop and facilitate system advocacy: This involves identifying community needs, issues and concerns that can be addressed through system advocacy, developing system advocacy proposals in consultation with relevant stakeholders facilitating the development of partnerships and coalitions to progress system advocacy proposals, and advocating for system change to meet community needs.
• Promote system advocacy: this involves developing and implementing strategies to raise awareness of system advocacy among key stakeholders, using a range of strategies and media to promote system advocacy, and evaluating the effectiveness of promotional activities.
• Support individuals to engage in system advocacy: This involves Identifying and providing information and resources to individuals who want to engage in system advocacy, providing advice and support to individuals who want to engage in system advocacy, and advocating on behalf of an individual as required.
• Monitor and review system advocacy: This involves monitoring the progress of system advocacy in consultation with relevant stakeholders, evaluating system advocacy in consultation with relevant stakeholders, and making recommendations for improvement to system advocacy in consultation with relevant stakeholders.

CHCDIV001 Work with diverse people

Course Details

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to work effectively with people from diverse social backgrounds and situations.

It applies to workers who provide direct services to clients, as well as those who work indirectly with clients by providing support to other workers.

The unit requires the ability to plan and provide services and interventions that recognise, respect and respond to diversity.

In the course, students will be expected to do the following:

• Plan and organise work to respond to diversity: this includes accessing information and support to plan work in response to diversity, developing plans that reflect an understanding of diversity and inclusion principles, and ensuring that work activities are carried out in a way that responds to diversity  
• Provide services and interventions that recognise diversity: this includes ensuring client diversity is considered in-service provision, communicating with clients in a way that recognises their diversity, promoting inclusion in service provision, and providing services and interventions that are responsive to diversity.
• Reflect on own ability to work with diversity: this includes analyzing own ability to work effectively with diverse people, seeking feedback from others about own ability to work with diverse people, identifying areas for improvement, and accessing opportunities to improve own abilities.

CHCDIV002 Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety

Course Details

This qualification reflects the role of workers who design and develop programs, services and initiatives to promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety.

Workers at this level have a high degree of autonomy and are responsible for the diploma of mental health promotion of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety. This is a nationally recognised course.

Key skills include excellent communication and interpersonal skills, experience in designing and delivering culturally safe initiatives, and knowledge of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultures.

CHCMHS002 Establish self-directed recovery relationships

Course Details

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to establish self-directed recovery relationships.

It applies to workers who provide direct services to clients, as well as those who work indirectly with clients by providing support to other workers.

The unit requires the ability to plan and provide services and interventions that recognise, respect and respond to individual differences.

CHCMHS003 Provide recovery-oriented mental health services

Course Details

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to provide recovery-oriented mental health services.

It applies to workers who provide direct services to clients, as well as those who work indirectly with clients by providing support to other workers.

The unit requires the ability to plan and provide services and interventions that recognise, respect and respond to individual differences.

At the end of this unit, students will be able to do the following:

• Plan and implement recovery-oriented mental health services: this includes analysing factors that influence an individual’s mental health, planning and implementing services and interventions in consultation with the individual and other health professionals.
• Monitor recovery progress: this includes regularly reviewing service provision and progress with the individual, carers and other health professionals and modifying services and interventions in response to the individual’s progress.
• Support the discharge of clients from mental health services: this includes assisting the individual to develop a post-discharge plan, facilitating the implementation of the post-discharge plan, and evaluating the effectiveness of the discharge process.
• Promote the use of peer support services: this includes identifying opportunities to promote peer support services to clients, providing information about peer support services to clients, and referring clients to appropriate peer support services.

CHCMHS004 Work collaboratively with the care network and other services

Course Details

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to work collaboratively with other agencies and services when providing mental health services.

This unit applies to workers in a range of mental health settings who provide support to people with mental illness.

They may work under direct or indirect supervision and may be required to work autonomously with limited direct supervision.

CHCMHS005 Provide services to people with co-existing mental health and alcohol and other drugs issues

Course Details

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to work collaboratively with people who have co-existing mental health and alcohol and other drug issues, in order to support their recovery and participation in the community.

Workers at this level provide support, advocacy and interventions that are strengths based and trauma-informed.

They work within a recovery-oriented framework that promotes hope, social inclusion and empowerment.

This unit applies to workers who provide services to people with co-existing mental health and alcohol and other drug issues in a range of community contexts.

CHCMHS009 Provide early intervention, health prevention and promotion programs

Course Details

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to work collaboratively with clients, carers, and other professionals to develop, facilitate and monitor whole-of-person plans that promote mental health, recovery and wellbeing.

It addresses the ability to support clients to increase their wellbeing through identifying goals that are culturally safe and promoting their strengths, resilience and protective factors.

This unit applies to workers who provide direct client services across a range of sectors including alcohol and other drugs, community services, corrections, disability, early childhood education and care, education and training, health, mental health and aged care.  

They work autonomously under broad directions from senior management, within a frame of evidence-based guidelines and recovery principles. Workers at this level take responsibility for their own outputs within defined organisational guidelines and may be authorised to provide supervision and leadership to other workers.

CHCMHS010 Implement recovery-oriented approaches to complexity

Course Details

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to address the needs of clients with mental health issues who display high levels of complexity.

You will learn how to:

- Implement a recovery-oriented approach to clients with mental health issues who display high levels of complexity

- Work within a multidisciplinary team when providing services to clients with mental health issues who display high levels of complexity

- Monitor and review services provided to clients with mental health issues who display high levels of complexity.

This unit applies to workers who support clients with mental health issues who display high levels of complexity in a range of community, primary healthcare and residential settings.

CHCMHS011 Assess and promote social, emotional and physical wellbeing

Course Details

This unit will equip you with the skills and knowledge to work effectively with clients presenting with mental health issues. You'll learn how to provide support, how to promote social and emotional wellbeing, and how to assess and respond to crisis situations.

Upon completion of this unit, you'll be able to work as a mental health worker in a range of settings, including community mental health services, residential care facilities, and private practice.

CHCMHS012 Provide support to develop wellness plans and advanced directives

Course Details

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to provide support to clients with mental health issues to develop wellness plans and advanced directives.

It involves working with clients in collaboration with other health professionals to develop and document plans that promote client recovery, wellness and self-management.

This unit applies to workers who provide support to clients with mental health issues in a range of community and residential settings.

Upon successful completion of this unit, you will be able to support clients with mental health issues to develop wellness plans and advanced directives in collaboration with other health professionals. This will involve working with clients to develop and document plans that promote client recovery, wellness and self-management.

CHCMHS013 Implement trauma-informed care

Course Details

This course unit is part of the diploma of mental health. It covers the skills and knowledge required to provide care that is respectful of a person's past experiences of trauma and loss.

This diploma coursework will prepare you to work as a mental health professional. Through this diploma, you will develop an understanding of mental health issues and learn how to provide support and care to people living with mental illness.

Upon completion of this diploma, you will be able to work as a mental health worker, case manager, or outreach worker in a variety of settings, including community mental health services, hospitals, and private practices.

CHCPOL003 Research and apply evidence to practice

Course Details

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to access and interpret mental health research and information and apply this evidence to clinical practice.

Evidence gathering is a necessary step in any clinical decision-making process. It allows practitioners to make informed decisions about the most appropriate assessment, diagnosis and treatment for individual clients.

The research findings that mental health practitioners use to inform their clinical decision-making can come from a range of sources, including scientific journals, government reports, community surveys and client case studies.

This unit applies to mental health practitioners who work independently and with other members of a multidisciplinary team. They work with clients who have mental health issues and disorders, and their families/carers.

CHCPRP003 Reflect on and improve own professional practice

Course Details

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to reflect on and improve own professional practice.

It applies to workers who work under broad directions and exercise considerable judgement in planning, organising and performing their tasks.

The unit supports the professional development of workers in a range of community-based settings.

This unit would typically be applied by community mental health workers, mental health support workers and other workers with a focus on mental health.

HLTWHS004 Manage work health and safety

Course Details

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to develop, implement and maintain work health and safety (WHS) policies, procedures and programs to meet legislative requirements.

It applies to individuals who hold a supervisory or management role and who have responsibility for the work health and safety of others.

The unit covers the development, implementation and maintenance of work health and safety policies, procedures and programs to meet legislative requirements in order to protect workers and others at the workplace.

Electives

CHCAOD004 Assess needs of clients with alcohol and other drugs issues

Course Details

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to prepare for and conduct assessments of alcohol and other drugs (AOD) clients to determine eligibility, service requirements and referral needs. This includes knowledge of factors affecting assessment for a range of different client groups including different genders, youth, older people, mandated and voluntary clients, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

This unit applies to people involved in the assessment of clients with AOD issues using established organisation or jurisdictional AOD assessment tools.

CHCCCS019 Recognise and respond to crisis situations

Course Details

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to recognise situations where people may be in imminent crisis, and then to work collaboratively to minimise any safety concerns and make plans to access required support services.

This unit applies to any community services worker involved in crisis intervention. Management of the crisis may involve face-to-face, telephone or remote contact with persons involved.

CHCPRP001 Develop and maintain networks and collaborative partnerships

Course Details

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to identify networking and collaboration needs and develop formal and informal partnerships to enhance service delivery and improve professional practice.

This unit applies to work in all industry sectors, and to individuals who take pro-active responsibility for improving collaboration between workers and organisations.

CHCPRP002 Collaborate in professional practice

Course Details

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to establish, implement and evaluate collaborative practice.

This unit applies to health and community service practitioners who may collaborate on the delivery of services to individual clients, groups of clients, communities or sub-populations. They may work individually with shared clients, together with individual clients or work on projects or programs that address the needs of groups or sub-populations. Work is self-directed.

HLTWHS006 Manage personal stressors in the work environment

Course Details

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to maintain health and wellbeing by preventing and managing personal stress.

This unit applies to work in a range of health and community services settings, in particular work roles that operate in high stress situations and circumstances.

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What career could I have?

Possible careers include:

• Community Care Worker: Supports clients in the community with basic needs such as shopping, cooking, personal care and budgeting.
• Mental Health Worker: Assists clients with mental illness to live independently in the community. Duties may include providing support and counselling, linking clients with other services, and helping to develop life skills.
• Mental Health Services: Clinical psychologist, psychiatrist, psychiatric nurse.
• Rehabilitation Counsellor:  Helps people with mental illness, physical disabilities or injuries, and substance abuse issues to overcome barriers and live independently. Duties may include conducting assessments, developing treatment plans, providing counselling and linking clients with other services.
• Community Rehabilitation and Support Worker:  Provides rehabilitation and support to people with mental illness, physical disabilities or injuries, and substance abuse issues living in the community. Duties may include conducting assessments, developing treatment plans, providing counselling and linking clients with other services.
• Community Support Worker:  Provides support to people with mental illness, physical disabilities or injuries, and substance abuse issues living in the community. Duties may include providing counselling, linking clients with other services, and helping to develop life skills.
• Mental Health Intake Officer:  Works as part of a team to assess clients referred to mental health services. Duties may include conducting initial interviews, completing assessments and making referrals to appropriate services.
• Mental Health Outreach Worker:  Provides support and counselling to clients in the community who have mental health issues. Duties may include linking clients with other services, providing crisis intervention and helping to develop life skills.
• Mental Health Rehabilitation Support Worker:  Provides rehabilitation and support to clients with mental illness who are living in the community. Duties may include conducting assessments and developing treatment plans.

Diploma of Mental Health Online - FAQs

What is the Diploma of Mental Health?

The Diploma of Mental Health is a nationally-recognised qualification that equips workers with the skills and knowledge to provide support to people with mental illness. The diploma covers a range of topics, including mental health assessment, counselling, referral and crisis intervention.

Who is the Diploma of Mental Health for?

The diploma is designed for people who want to work in the mental health field, such as community support workers, mental health intake officers, mental health outreach workers and mental health rehabilitation support workers.

Is the Diploma of Mental Health recognised by employers?

Yes, the diploma is recognised by employers across Australia.

What are the entry requirements for the Diploma of Mental Health?

There are no formal entry requirements for the diploma. However, it is recommended that you have some prior experience working with people with mental illness, either in a paid or volunteer capacity.

How long will it take to complete the diploma of mental health?

The diploma can be completed in as little as 12 months. However, most students take between 18 and 24 months to complete the diploma.

Is a diploma of mental health worth it?

Absolutely! A diploma of mental health can be an extremely valuable asset in your professional career. It can help you stand out from the crowd and make you a more competitive job candidate in the mental health field. Additionally, a diploma of mental health may allow you to pursue a career in the mental health field.

What career opportunities are available after the diploma of mental health?

There are many career opportunities available after the diploma of mental health. Some examples include social work, counselling, psychology, and psychiatric nursing. Each of these careers requires different skills and training, but all of them involve helping people who are struggling with their mental health.

How to choose the right career after the diploma of mental health?

When it comes to choosing a career after the diploma of mental health, it is important to think about what you are interested in and what you are good at. Some of the factors you may want to consider include:

- What are your interests?

- What skills do you have?

- What are the job prospects in your area?

- What is the salary range for your desired job?

It is also important to do some research on the different careers available and talk to people who work in those careers. This can help give you a better idea of what each career involves and whether it is a good fit for you.

What can I do after diploma in mental health?

There are many different career paths you can pursue after completing your diploma of mental health. Some of the most common careers include social work, counselling, psychology, and psychiatric nursing. Each of these careers requires different skills and training, but all of them involve helping people who are struggling with their mental health.

It is important to do some research on the different careers available and talk to people who work in those careers before making a decision. This can help give you a better idea of what each career involves and whether it is a good fit for you.

How much does the diploma of mental health cost?

At Hader Institute, the diploma of mental health costs $7,495. This includes all of the course materials, as well as access to our online student portal. There are no hidden costs or extra fees.

How is the diploma of mental health delivered?

The diploma of mental health is delivered entirely online, which means you can study at your own pace and in your own time. You will have access to all of the course materials, including video lectures, online quizzes and assignments, through our online Learner portal.

Do I need to attend any face-to-face workshops?

No, you do not need to attend any face-to-face workshops. The diploma of mental health is delivered entirely online.

When can I start the diploma of mental health?

You can start the diploma of mental health at any time. Simply enrol online, and you will be given access to the course materials.