Mental Health and Addictions Diploma Program

Students will explore a spectrum of substance use disorders and the compounds commonly misused. Students will also learn about synthetic drugs; preferred language in referring to those who struggle with substance use disorders as well as substance use and misuse in older adults.

Students will learn the interactions of various forces that contribute to psychopathology. Balancing biological, psychological, social, and cultural approaches, this subject takes an integrative approach with a modern, and scientifically valid method for studying abnormal psychology.

In this subject, students will be provided with an overview of concurrent disorders, and be introduced to treatments options about substance use and mental health problems and how they interact.

Students will learn the three main areas in the field: the social patterning of health and illness, the social construction of health and illness, and the social organization of health care. 

In this subject, students will learn the framework of physical, cognitive, social and emotional development across the lifespan including: birth and infancy, early and middle childhood, adolescence and early adulthood and middle and late adulthood.

Students will be provided with the resources and guidance to develop skills in Microsoft Office. 

Students will learn the task model to provide a systematic way of dealing with people in crisis: Defining the Problem, Ensuring Client Safety, Providing Support, Examining Alternatives, Making Plans, and Obtaining Commitment.

Students will explore the client referral, assessment and treatment planning process to ensure the delivery of effective and appropriate supports to clients.

In this subject, students will learn a step-by-step guide through the case management process, from intake and assessment to referrals and termination. Students will also explore current practice trends and considerations, current legal issues, and ethics and ethical issues.  providers.

In this subject, students will learn the basic skills of the counselling or psychotherapy session: listening, influencing, and integrating these skills into an effective session with individual and multicultural sensitivity.

Students will learn the "what is" and the "how to" of group counseling, along with the latest research, ethical guidelines, and practices.

Students will learn the principles of pharmacology and calculations in a simplified step-by-step process. Students will also learn how to organize drugs by classifications including their purpose, side effects, cautions, interactions, and contraindications.

Students will obtain a firm foundation in health promotion and understand the process of planning, implementing and assessing programs in the real world.

In this subject, students will learn how counselors work with families where a family member has an addiction or mental health issue. Students will explore several different family structure models and theories, and how counselors can use them with their clients. 

In this subject gives an overview of trauma response and treatment. Students will explore the assessment and treatment of various forms of posttraumatic distress disorder and interventions that stress a non-pathologizing, growth-oriented and hopeful view of recovery from trauma.

In this subject, explores the issues facing Canadian social work, human services and community health professionals towards influencing community change. 

In this subject, students are provided with an experiential opportunity to practice emerging skills, knowledge, and attitudes required to be an effective helping professional in a professional mental health setting.