Addiction and Mental Health Program at Confederation College

Program Intakes

0199 - Addiction and Mental Health

Fall, Winter, Spring

Up to 3 years

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Curriculum

Semester 1

CD 230 Safety & Crisis Intervention

In this course, students will examine crisis intervention for individuals living with addiction and mental health problems. The indicators of suicide, self harm, and violence will be explored in relation to risk assessment and management strategies. Students will examine safety planning, risk management practices, and non-violent crisis intervention to respond to situations that may arise when working with clients.
OL 063 Mental Health And Addiction Foundations

This course provides an introduction to addictions, mental health and concurrent disorders, the unique features of each and the integration of services and supports in addictions and mental health. Students explore the prevention and treatment continuum in Canada, historical and cultural perspectives and frameworks and models. A bio-psycho-social-spiritual framework is addressed, and current practices are reviewed, including research and best practice guidelines.
OL 065 Introduction to Counselling

"This practical course covers the application of knowledge and skills for counselling in addictions and mental health in a professional counselling environment, within the Competencies for Canada’s Substance Abuse Workforce. Students explore and practice behavioural and technical competencies in simulated scenarios and will develop a personal learning plan to further develop their professional competencies."
OL 067 Chemical Dependency and Substance Use and Abuse

This course educates students about drug and alcohol use and the abuse of various substances in the body and how it affects ones behaviour. An introduction to the science of Pharmacology is included and students will study a number of drugs such as: alcohol, nicotine, prescription drugs, hallucinogens, cocaine, narcotics and marijuana, inhalants and steroids. They will also examine concepts of clinical practice and program design and learn how and when to apply them.
OL 068 Counselling Gender & Diversity

Students develop knowledge and skills necessary to inform work with diverse individuals and groups with specific attributes and associated needs including sexual orientation, cultural diversity, gender-specific needs, marginalized populations, and older adults. Students critically examine the concept of diversity, stigmatized social identities, and the impact on services and supports.

Semester 2

AD 101 Motivational Interviewing

Motivational interviewing is a client-centered, collaborative conversation style for strengthening a person's own motivation to change. This course will examine the foundational principles and practices of motivational interviewing in addictions and mental health. Students will learn how to apply the values, processes and skills of this approach to promote client behaviour change for individuals with a mental illness and/or addiction.
OL 070 Community Services & Supports in ADMH

Access to mental health and addictions services can be challenging due to the complexity of the system of service, funding sources and issues relating to stigma and barriers. In this course, students learn about the current issues, trends and developments in the integration of services in order to promote co-ordinated, efficient access to services while focusing on early intervention, treatment and community supports. Students explore a range of services for children, youth, adults, older adults and individuals with special needs. Workplace issues and supports are discussed. This course includes two mandatory chats. We recommend viewing the course schedule immediately upon logging into the course to view course meeting dates and times.
OL 077 Holistic Assessment and Interventions: Determinants of Health

Bio-psycho-social-spiritual assessments and interventions and the determinants of health are explored in this course. Holistic interventions and current practices are included such as mindfulness, nutrition, exercise, and alternative therapeutic approaches. Interdisciplinary practice and inter-professional collaboration is emphasized. Students also explore the notion of family and community in the role of holistic intervention.
OL 079 An Introduction to Trauma-Informed Practice

In this course students explore trauma-informed practices at the individual, organizational and systemic levels. Students develop and understanding of the diverse needs of trauma survivors and how women, men, children and youth experience trauma differently. The effect of trauma on the brain is studied and the way service may be adapted is discussed. Content includes an overview of services for people with trauma, substance use and mental health including parenting, child welfare and supports for children.
OL 660 Capstone - ADMH

For this capstone project, students will use skills and competencies obtained through their academic studies to translate addiction and mental health knowledge into practice. They will develop an addiction and mental health resource or practical tool based on a determined need that may be used for prevention or screening purposes, direct client education, clinic use, etc. Students will have the opportunity to determine their own special topic for this project; it will be based on need, current research and best practice. Students will work independently to complete this project, with support from the instructor. This capstone project will promote collaboration, community partnerships, prevention and health promotion in addiction and mental health.

Fees

Cost Details for Year 1

Domestic Students

Academic Fees

Total Tuition Fees: $2,688.00
College Service Fee: $677.00
Health Fee: $280.00

Total Academic Fees: $3,645.00

Program Overview

Start Dates & Ontario Colleges Program Codes:

Fall, Winter + Spring starts (September, January and May) :0199

Are you passionate and caring?

Are you looking for practical training that will help you have a positive impact on the lives of those with mental health and addiction challenges?

The Addiction and Mental Health graduate certificate program will empower students with the enhanced knowledge and skills needed to support the specialized needs of individuals living with mental health and addiction issues. Students will examine some of today’s most promising practices including an integrated model of support and other evidenced approaches that complement the principles of recovery and the person-centered model of care.

From a trauma-informed perspective, learn to deliver responsive, culturally relevant, client-centered assessment and treatment to diverse individuals and groups in a variety of settings, including social service agencies, residential treatment centres, homeless shelters, services for women and crisis response services.

Top Highlights

Benefit from online delivery and flexible courses that enable you to study at a time and place convenient for you
Learn to recognize and effectively support a diverse set of client needs and experiences through accessible and responsive programs and services
Practice appropriate treatment, prevention and harm reduction strategies
Develop strategies for client advocacy and examine policy, legislation, and systems that impact service delivery in the field

Learning Outcomes

Use a bio-psycho-spiritual framework when providing addictions and mental health services.
Provide holistic, client-centred, gender-based, culturally relevant assessments and interventions to individuals, groups and families within social and cultural contexts across the lifespan.
Integrate skills and knowledge from a range of frameworks and contexts in addictions, mental health and concurrent disorders to provide non-biased services to women and those from diverse and varied populations.
Educate individuals, families, groups and the community regarding issues and approaches through knowledge translation, knowledge exchange and the dissemination of relevant and current research and practice via formal and informal education.
Access, utilize and advocate for culturally informed community supports and services for individuals, families and the community.
Actively participate in and contribute to, relevant networks, groups and organizations promoting development, improvement and advancement in the fields of addictions and mental health.
Work collaboratively within inter professional teams providing ethical, effective, timely, and coordinated holistic services.
Practice ethical and responsible behaviour in all aspects of work.
Use research results to design and implement client care and services with the participation and contribution of the client, their family, and the community.

Employment Opportunity

There is a high demand for mental health and addictions professionals. Graduates may find employment opportunities in the addictions and mental health field as community support workers, front-line shelter workers, team leaders, housing workers, case managers, counsellors, crisis workers, addictions counsellors and mental health workers. For more details on related occupations, job market information and career opportunities, see the Government of Canada website: www.jobbank.gc.ca/home.

Admission Requirements

Program Requirements for domestic students

In order to be considered for admission into this program, Applicants must possess a Diploma (Social Services Worker, Child and Youth Worker, Developmental Services Worker, Native Child and Family Services Worker) or Degree (Psychology, Social Work) from an accredited university or college in the field of social services, community services or health services programs.