Program Details
Learning based on your needs
The Graduate Certificate in Mental Health and Addictions is an interdisciplinary program administered by the School of Social Work. The certificate was developed to provide working professionals with the latest knowledge, skills and attitudes required to improve the lives of persons affected by mental health and addictions challenges.
The courses are fully online; however, they are centered around a team-based approach to learning and encourage discussion and interaction with instructor and classmates. Assignments are focused on helping students apply knowledge to real-world situations they encounter in their working life.
Courses and Descriptions
The four courses that make up the certificate build on your current knowledge of mental health and addictions by studying the MH&A system and its participants in depth. You'll be looking at the current systems in place, and thinking critically about their impact on the health and well-being of individuals, families and communities. The courses are intensive and rewarding - you'll complete weekly readings and engage in online discussions, work in groups via distance technology and think critically about what you learn. Most students find that each course requires a time commitment of ten hours per week.
HLTH 5110.03: Mental Health and Addictions Services and SystemsThis course examines the conceptual, historical, political, gender, and societal factors that influence values, beliefs, and practices pertaining to mental health and addictions. Understanding of these concepts will enable the critical evaluation of formal and informal services and systems currently in place for providing support to individuals, families, and communities. Pre-Requisite: None |
HLTH 5120.03: Mental Health, Substance Use and Addiction Across Health Practices: Working with Persons, Families and CommunitiesThis course focuses on the development of knowledge, attitudes and skills essential to supporting persons, families, and communities affected by mental health, substance use and addiction disorders. Key topics to be addressed include: social determinants of health; ethical decision-making; therapeutic alliance; effective communication; screening and assessment; health behaviour change approaches. Prerequisites: HLTH 5110.03 |
HLTH 5130.03: Concurrent Disorders and Complex Case Work: Working with Persons, Families and CommunitiesThis course focuses on competencies required to support persons, families and communities affected by complex mental health, substance use and addiction disorders. Participants will examine care from the mental health and addiction system perspective, exploring how systems shape the delivery of services, notions of well-being and models of care. |
HLTH 5140.03: Prevention, Early Intervention and Population Focussed Health PromotionThis course examines philosophies pertaining to the reduction of risk and harms associated with mental health and addictions. Participants will examine how philosophies pertaining to health promotion, prevention, and harm reduction have influenced mental health and addictions policies and the structure and delivery of services to individuals, families and communities. |
Courses will not be offered in the Spring/Summer term. Specific course offering dates are available at the Academic Timetable.
Most students find that it takes a minimum of four terms to complete the required courses, by taking one course per term in consecutive sequence.
Health 5110 must be completed first. Students wishing to take more than one course concurrently must obtain permission. (Contact mha@dal.ca)
Tuition & Fees
The cost for each half-credit course is $1050. For more information, visit Money Matters or call (902) 494-3998.
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