Get the Skills to Become a Mental Health Support Worker

Program Duration

Applicants must meet the following requirements prior to acceptance into the program:

1.  High School Graduation or equivalent OR mature student status (19 years or older prior to starting the program)
2. Prior to acceptance applicants must meet at least one of the following language proficiency requirements:
   1. Completion of 3 years of full-time secondary education (a combination of Grades 8-12 or BC Adult Graduation program), including English 10 with a grade of ‘C’ or higher from a country where English is one of the principal languages, or
   2. Completion of 2 years of full-time post-secondary education at an accredited institution where English is the language of instruction, or
   3. Provide verified results for one of the English language proficiency tests listed below. Test results must be dated no more than two years before the start date of the program.
      1. International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic: overall score of 5.5 or higher.
      2. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) iBT: overall score of 46 or higher
      3. Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) Test: overall score of 40 or higher
      4. Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP): minimum score of Listening 6, Speaking 6, Reading 5 and Writing 5
      5. Cambridge English Language: B2 First exam (FCE): overall score of 160 or higher
      6. Pearson Test of English (PTE): overall score of 43 or higher
      7. Duolingo English Test (DTE): overall score of 95 or higher
3. Clear Criminal Record Check Completion under the Criminal Record Review Program (CRRP)
4. Immunization report.
5. Complete ‘Student Declaration’ form.
6. 6 months work experience in the social services field OR completion of a Social Service Community Support Worker program or equivalent.

Upon successful completion of the program, you will be able to:

• Critically Assess Mental Health Issues: Identify and analyze mental health challenges across diverse populations, including children, youth, adults, and Indigenous communities, through relational and socio-cultural lenses.
• Apply Trauma-Informed and Crisis Intervention Strategies: Develop trauma-informed approaches and employ effective crisis intervention techniques for individuals and families in both immediate and longterm contexts, with attention to cultural and community needs.
• Support Mental Health in Marginalized Populations: Create and implement inclusive mental health strategies that address the needs of immigrant, refugee, Indigenous, and 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.
• Address Homelessness and Poverty in Mental Health Care: Examine the inter-relationship between homelessness, poverty, and mental health, and apply theoretical frameworks to reduce these challenges within the Canadian healthcare system.
• Integrate Indigenous Perspectives in Mental Wellness: Utilize Indigenous knowledge systems and strength-based approaches to support the mental wellness of Indigenous peoples and communities, while recognizing the historical and social determinants of health.
• Understand and Navigate Canada’s Mental Health System: Analyze mental health services, legislation, and patient advocacy within the Canadian healthcare system, with a focus on improving outcomes for diverse populations.