This online Ontario College Graduate Certificate program is primarily designed to enhance and further develop the skills of individuals who already work in health care or the social services field and who are interested in specializing in addictions and mental health. There is a growing need for coordinated services by professionals with the knowledge and skills to treat concurrent disorders. Students take an interdisciplinary approach to the study of mental health, mental illness, substance use including focus on holistic assessment and intervention strategies, recovery process, and promotion of ongoing mental health. Students acquire the knowledge, skills, and abilities required by mental health professionals to deliver responsive and effective substance use disorder treatment and mental health services, while promoting empowerment, self-determination, and optimum quality of life to individuals. Students gain practical experience through the supervised field placement where they can apply knowledge of best practices and further enhance their skillsets. During placement, students are paired with a Field Placement Liaison for support and guidance.

Upon completion of the program, students possess the knowledge and skills to work with vulnerable populations in a variety of community mental health and addictions services settings, dependent on their prior experience and credentials, and skills built in the program. These settings may include social service and government agencies, mental health agencies, residential treatment centres, group homes, homeless shelters, school boards, services for specific vulnerable populations, family counselling programs, crisis response services, community outreach programs, community justice programs, medical detox programs, long-term care facilities, hospices, and other establishments.

The Addictions and Mental Health Graduate Certificate (AMH) is recognized by the Canadian Addiction Counsellor Certification Federation (CACCF), Canada`s Addiction Workforce Regulator. The CACCF affirms that this program meets the education requirement component of their certification process.

To qualify for this graduate certificate, you must complete the program within four years.

SUCCESS FACTORS

This program is well-suited for students who:

• Are interested in improving the quality of life for those with mental health and/or substance use challenges.
• Want to contribute as team members in a wide range of dynamic environments.
• Are non-judgmental, flexible, mature and compassionate.
• Like to support, empower, and encourage others.
• Have patience and can handle stress and remain calm in difficult situations.
• Are comfortable with self-reflective practice.
• Possesses critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Have an ability to practice self-care.
• Can communicate clearly and set professional boundaries.
• Are comfortable advocating for both self and others.

Careers

Graduates may find employment opportunities in the addictions and mental health field as community support workers, team leaders, case managers, clinicians, mental health counsellors, crisis workers, program evaluation coordinators, addictions counsellors, intake coordinators, and mental health workers.

Pathways

Please use our Pathways tool to search for pathway options.

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

1. Use a bio-psycho-social-spiritual framework when providing addictions and mental health services.
2. Provide holistic, client-centred, gender-based, culturally relevant assessments and interventions to individuals, groups, and families within social and cultural contexts across the lifespan.
3. 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.
4. Educate individuals, families, groups, and the community regarding issues a and approaches through knowledge translation, knowledge exchange, and the dissemination of relevant and current research and practice via formal and informal education.
5. Access, utilize, and advocate for culturally informed community supports and services for individuals, families and the community.
6. Actively participate in and contribute to, relevant networks, groups, and organizations promoting development, improvement, and advancement in the fields of addictions and mental health.
7. Work collaboratively within inter-professional teams providing ethical, effective, timely, and coordinated holistic services.
8. Practice ethical and responsible behaviour in all aspects of work.
9. Use research results to design and implement client care and services with the participation and contribution of the client, their family, and the community.
10. Identify and apply discipline-specific practices that contribute to the local and global community through social responsibility, economic commitment, and environmental stewardship.

Application Information

ADDICTIONS AND MENTAL HEALTH
Program Code 1829X07PAO

Program Resources

International students wishing to study online should visit https://www.algonquincollege.com/online/international for information related to International online students and for international fees information prior to registering. Please note that AC Online programs do not qualify international students for new study permits or study permit extensions.

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS AND DOCUMENTATION:
The physical and emotional health of each applicant to the program must be such that he or she can successfully cope with the program of instruction including the demands of field placement (e.g., stress and time management). Individuals who have concerns about their ability to meet these requirements should contact AC Online at online@algonquincollege.com prior to submitting an application.

PLACEMENT REQUIREMENTS:
Placement is a very important component of the AMH program consisting of 300 hours of unpaid experience in the field and all students must complete this requirement to graduate. The goal of placement is for students to use practical learning experiences to support the integration of theory and professional expectations in the addictions and mental health field. Students practice supportive counseling, group facilitation, case management and crisis intervention. Students also reflect on their emerging knowledge and skills for working directly with children, youth, and families.

Students indicate the placement location/city of their choice and placements may be completed in a variety of community mental health and addictions services settings, dependent on prior experience and credentials. These settings may include social service and government agencies, mental health agencies, residential treatment centres, group homes, homeless shelters, services for women, services for indigenous people, crisis response services, correctional facilities, hospitals, long-term care facilities, hospices and other establishments.

Prior to placement, in Level 2, students will take the Field Placement Preparation Course, SSC2070, which will assist in preparing them for their field placement.

In order to be eligible for field placements, students must meet the following requirements prior to the placement deadline (typically completed in Level 2):

1. Academic Clearance: students must successfully complete all theory courses (all Level 1 and 2 courses) prior to the placement start date. This will be confirmed by the academic area after the placement deadline.
2. AMH Placement Request Form: this form must be submitted prior to the placement deadline to ensure students are added to the master placement list. While this form is completed entirely online in just a few minutes, you must be prepared to upload a current version of your resume in order to complete the submission process.
3. Medical and Non-medical Requirements: the AMH program requires students to meet the following medical and non-medical requirements:
• Immunization Records
• Police Records Check for Service with the Vulnerable Sector (PRCSVS)

For further placement information, please refer to our website at the following link: https://www.algonquincollege.com/online/field-placement-amh/.

PRIOR LEARNING AND RECOGNITION (PLAR):
Students who wish to apply for PLAR need to demonstrate competency at a post-secondary level in all the course learning requirements. Evidence of learning achievements for PLAR candidates may include a comprehensive challenge examination and/or completion of a portfolio.

ACADEMIC PLANNER:
The Academic Planner provides registered part-time students the ability to declare into a program of study. The Academic Planner outlines successfully completed courses to date, as well as courses that need to be completed in order to meet graduation requirements. It is therefore, essential that all part-time students declare to their program of study, allowing administrators to plan course offerings. The tool is available on ACSIS, located under `Part-time Students` on the left-hand toolbar.

PROGRAM PROGRESSION:
As per policy AA39: Program Progression and Graduation Requirements, when students are admitted to a program, they are assigned to the Program of Study that aligns with their start date. If a student takes a break for two or more consecutive terms the Program of Study is reset to align with the current version (when studies are resumed).

Future Students

For additional information, please contact our Customer Service Representative team at online@algonquincollege.com and they will direct you to the best person to answer your specific questions.

Current Students

For additional information, please reference the AC Online Circle of Care.