Are you passionate about caring for people living with mental health issues? If so, the Certificate of Mental Health Care is a professional development program that will give you the knowledge and skills to work in an industry that improves people’s lives using recovery-oriented support.
This online course will equip you with the essential skills to support individuals facing mental health issues, coexisting substance use disorders, and those requiring trauma-informed care. You will learn effective communication, relationship building, and the development of personalised care plans that respect clients’ autonomy, rights, and confidentiality. Emphasising inclusivity, this course prepares you to address diverse client needs with sensitivity and professionalism.
You will gain an understanding of various mental health issues, the recovery model, and best practices in psychosocial rehabilitation and supported employment. The course covers critical areas such as mental health assessment, case management, crisis intervention, and community education. The course also provides strategies for managing addiction, building supportive care networks, and promoting mental health within the community.
With a focus on trauma-informed care, the course will teach you how to create safe, trust-based environments for clients. You will be well prepared to make a significant positive impact on the lives of individuals with mental health and substance use challenges, promoting recovery, autonomy, and resilience.
As a mental health worker, you can make a real difference in the life of people with mental health issues. This course is designed to be flexible, practical and easy to follow so you can start your fulfilling career sooner.
Course Structure
Unit 1 - Work with people with mental health issues
- Communication
- Relationship building
- Listening skills
- Care plans
- Client autonomy
- Social, cultural differences
- Spiritual differences
- Client rights
- Confidentiality and privacy
- Compliance and sharing
- Mental health issues
- Recovery model
- Values and attitudes
- Foreseeable harm
- Dignity of risk
- Service plans
- Self-management strategies
- Family-sensitive approaches
- Community development
- Community education
- Mental health promotion
- Case management
- Psychosocial rehabilitation
- Supported employment
- Early intervention/prevention
- Documentation and records
Unit 2 - Establish self-directed recovery relationships
- Medical recovery
- Progress and recovery
- Mental health assessment
- Develop case plans
- Autonomy
- Client rights
- Client service plan
- Mutual respect
- Law and Ethics
- Multiculturalism
- Positive working relationship
- Communication strategies
- Building rapport
- Active listening
- Effective questioning
- Inviting client to tell their story
- Facilitating healing
- Reflective skills
- Impacts of mental illness
- Financial wellbeing of client
- Employment / disclosing mental illness
- Eligibility and priority for service
- Community education
- Mental health promotion
- Psychosocial rehabilitation
- Supported employment
- Early intervention and prevention
- Readiness for rehabilitation
- Goal setting
Unit 3 - Provide recovery-oriented mental health services
- Predict medical recovery
- Sensitive approaches
- Community education
- Intervention and prevention
- Mental health promotion strategies
- Collaborative processes
- Crisis situations
- Consent/informed consent
- Client needs and preferences
- Relationship issues
- Goals and objectives
- Community-based assessment
- Inpatient care
- Client rights
- Building rapport
- Active listening
- Effective questioning
- Self-efficacy
- Cultural requirements
- Meaning and purpose in life
- Self-advocacy strategies
- Risk management
- Wellness plan
- Timelines for action
- Readiness for recovery plan
- Environmental factors
- Internal motivation
- Medical issues
- Addiction
- Positive risk taking / resilience
- Care support network
- Family care giver burdens
- Support services
- Suicidal ideation
- Client obstacles, challenges
- Public and private health care
- Monitor recovery plan
- Identify new directions
Unit 4 - Provide services to people with coexisting mental health and alcohol and other drugs issues
- Co-existing mental health
- AOD issues
- Dual diagnosis
- Substance abuse
- Alcohol and drug dependence
- Normal and abnormal behaviour
- Behaviours of mental illness
- Drug use and psychological illness
- Service provision
- Agency programs
- Service delivery models
- Dual diagnosis treatment models
- Treatment phases
- Motivational interventions
- Medication
- The shared care model
- Four-step programs
- Treatment for individual disorders
- Best practice model
- Client assessment
- Impact of AOD and psychological issues
- Physical conditions
- Societal impact
- Readiness for recovery
- Research specialist services
- Effective working relationships
- Recovery plans
- 5 stages of change
- Facilitate further care
- Addressing AOD addiction
- Treatment services
- Eligibility criteria
- Support and referral processes
- Informed consent
- Suicidal ideation
- De-escalation techniques
- Conflict resolution
- Reporting incidents
- Emergency situations
- Response strategies
- Records management
- Communication
- Assessment and self-evaluation
- Achievement of goals
- Advice, supervision and debriefing
- Burnout prevention
- Client risk assessment
- Law and Ethics
Unit 5 - Implement trauma informed care
- Trauma-informed care
- Strong safe relationships
- Safe environments
- Listen to the client’s story
- Mandatory notification
- Person’s strengths and resilience
- Culture and language
- Identify impact of trauma
- Mental health issues
- Working with children
- Post-traumatic stress disorders
- Negative responses to triggers
- Specific trauma needs
- Individual support plans
- Change strategies and plans
- Trauma-informed supervision
- Crisis management plans
- Emotional pain
- Trust and rapport
- Conflict resolution strategies
- Emergency situations
- Self-care practices
Study Hours
Estimated duration 75 Hours
Course Delivery and Start
Start anytime, self-paced and 100% Online
Assessment
Assessment will be comprised of written exercises, including short-answer questions, reflective tasks, short reports and/or projects. There are no examinations or due dates for assessment. As a result, you can complete training in your own time and at your own pace with the assistance of unlimited tutor support.
Testimonials
Click to See What Our Students Say
I found this course to be interesting and it gave me insight into a variety of mental health issues and situations I had never previously considered. I feel more confident supporting people – both adults and teenagers – with their complex mental health needs. The course is logically set out and easy to follow.
L. Bellamy, Tamworth, NSW | Certificate of Mental Health Care
The whole experience was great. Working from home made the whole experience so much easier and better. I am not one who does well at school and for the for the first time I found it easy to do.
H.Okeefe, Quarry Hill, VIC | Certificate of Mental Health Care
I enjoyed this course very much and gained new knowledge and skills that I can apply in my life experiences.
Y.Toras, Maroubra, NSW | Certificate of Mental Health Care
I found my study experience very beneficial and the course gave me the knowledge and skills I needed to pursue my career change. Being able to study 100% online was also extremely helpful.
A.Simmonds, Para Vista, SA | Certificate of Mental Health Care
It provides lots of theory knowledge in regards to mental health care.
Xiaojing | Harrisdale, WA | Certificate of Mental Health Care
Graduation
A Certificate of Attainment and Statement of Results will be issued upon successful completion of this course.
How to Enrol
Enrolment Form – Employment Services and Rehabilitation Providers
Enrol via Live Chat (Business Hours)
Enrol via Telephone 1300 76 2221 (Business Hours)
Payment Options
Visa, Mastercard, BPAY, Bank Transfer and Afterpay. Please allow 1-2 Business days for processing for BPAY, Bank Transfer and Afterpay.
Course FAQs
Why Choose Australian Online Courses?
- Professional development that is widely recognised and respected;
- Improve your employment opportunities;
- Study online, anywhere via our elearning system;
- High-quality professional development programs written by industry experts;
- All course materials provided online – no textbooks to buy;
- Unlimited tutor support via email;
- We offer twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply);
- Course may be tax deductible; see your tax advisor.
Are there any entry requirements or pre-requisites?
There are no course or subject pre-requisites for entry into our programs. However, our professional development programs are generally intended for people over the age of 18. In some circumstances, enrolments from younger people may be considered. Please complete the AOC Parent Guardian Consent Form prior to enrolling and submit here.
Are there any computer requirements?
To study online with Australian Online Courses you will need a computer (desktop PC/laptop) running a current/updated operating system with reliable high-speed internet access. You will need to use the Google Chrome browser to access your course.
When can I start this course?
You can start within 60 minutes during business hours when you enrol and pay in full with a credit card!
Credit card: Within 60 mins during business hours.
BPAY: Within 1-2 working days.
Afterpay: Within 1-2 working days
Internet Banking: Within 1-2 working days.
Cheque/Money Order: Upon receipt of mailed cheque.
How is this course delivered?
This course is delivered online via our easy-to-navigate Learning Management System (LMS), where you will discover interactive online learning/written content, resources and assessment.
Do I need to attend classes or undertake any work placements?
No. All courses are delivered online via our LMS and there are no work placement requirements in this course.
What support can I expect from Australian Online Courses?
Unlimited tutor support is available throughout your studies via email only during business hours Monday to Friday. Our Administrative team are available Monday to Friday via email, live chat and telephone.
I am an international student. Can I enrol into this course?
Yes! We accept enrolments from individuals both within Australia and internationally; location is no barrier to entry into our programs.
Career Pathways
Future growth
Strong
Unemployment
Low
- Mental Health Support Worker
- Mental Health Counsellor
- Mental Health Professional
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