CHC53315 Diploma of Mental Health

Develop high level specialist knowledge, skills to help people and their mental health.

The Diploma of Mental Health will give you skills to provide support services to people affected by mental illness or psychiatric disability through their recovery journey. You will gain broad knowledge and skills to provide counselling, referral, advocacy, education, and health promotion services.

This course can be offered as a traineeship through your employer and/or as a non-traineeship

VACCHO SPECIFIC ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

It is a VACCHO requirement for those wishing to undertake this course that they:

must be prepared to complete a Learning, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) assessment and Pre-training Requirements (PTR) as part of the enrolment process.
are over 18 years old at the time of enrolment.
Are either
- - working or volunteering in roles providing support to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people or
  - working or volunteering for an Aboriginal Organisation or
  - a carer for an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person or
  - employed or have the capacity to volunteer at an organisation relevant to this course to complete their work placement hours/workplace-based assessments.
have wide-ranging skills and knowledge about Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander ways of living.
have basic digital skills in using Microsoft Office programs such as Word and PowerPoint, such as creating and saving a new file and adding and editing text, tables, images, and fonts.
have basic internet skills to undertake online research.

COURSE HIGHLIGHTS

Develop high level specialist knowledge, skills and competencies especially in regard to laws affecting people with mental health issues, the range of services available to them and health issues related to mental health.

AT A GLANCE

Duration

This course is typically offered over 18 months with classes held once a month, Tuesday – Thursday, 9am- 5pm.

Delivery and Locations

VACCHO
17-23 Sackville Street
Collingwood, VIC

Assessments

Written questions, portfolio, workplace project, case studies, role plays, observation/demonstration

Cost (Fees & Charges)

Refer to Fees & Charges.

Ask about our RPL fees if you have previous equivalent experiences

Qualification

CHC53315 Diploma of Mental Health subject to satisfactory course completion and meeting all VACCHO terms & conditions

WHY LEARN WITH US?

01 INDUSTRY RELEVANT

This training program has been developed in consultation with other ACCHOs and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community sector to ensure its relevance.

02 EXPERT TRAINERS

Our staff have current on-the-job experience, bringing this into the training program to offer real industry training based on current industry trends.

03 EXPERIENCED SUPPORT TEAM

We offer in-house Mentors and support and have also teamed up with external experts to ensure that you are fully supported to succeed.

WHAT WILL I STUDY?

The units of competency listed below are an example of the units that would typically be included in this qualification.

Unit Code

CHCPRP003

CHCDIV001

CHCDIV002

CHCMHS002

CHCMHS003

CHCMHS004

CHCMHS011

CHCADV005

CHCMHS005

CHCMHS013

CHCMHS010

HLTWHS004

CHCMHS012

CHCPOL003

CHCMHS009

CHCAOD004

CHCPRP002

CHCCSL001

CHCCCS003

CHCCSL007

Unit Name

Reflect on and improve own professional practice

Work with diverse people

Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety

Establish self-directed recovery relationships

Provide recovery oriented mental health services

Work collaboratively with the care network and other services

Assess and promote social, emotional and physical wellbeing

Provide systems advocacy services

Provide services to people with co-existing mental health and alcohol and other drugs issues

Implement trauma informed care

Implement recovery-oriented approaches to complexity

Manage work health and safety

Provide support to develop wellness plans and advanced directives

Research and apply evidence to practice

Provide early intervention, health prevention and promotion programs

Assess needs of clients with Alcohol and other drug issues

Collaborate in professional practice

Establish and confirm the counselling relationship

Increase the safety of individuals at risk of suicide

Support counselling clients in decision-making processes

Core or Elective

Core

Elective

Imported Elective

Elective

Imported Elective

Elective

PRE-REQUISITES REQUIREMENTS

Intermediate computer skills, including the ability to access and search the internet, use software (such as Microsoft Word) to create documents, upload and download documents.
Before starting your placement, the employer might ask for a National Police Clearance and a Working with Children Check (WWCC).
Evidence of some vaccinations is also a requirement including but not limited to influenza (flu) vaccination and COVID vaccination prior to the placement component.

RECOGNITION OF PRIOR STUDIES & EXPERIENCES

If you have previously completed one or more of the above units, please ask about our Credit Transfer services. If you have a range of work and life experiences that relate to one or more of these unit, ask about our Recognition of Prior Learning/Competency (RPL) services.

If eligible, you will not be required to undertake these units again with us as you will receive recognition of your prior studies and/or experiences.

WORK PLACEMENT

160 hours of Practical Placement are required to develop skills and competencies in the workplace environment.
Students will need to organise this placement with a relevant Facility or Organisation.

JOB PROSPECTS

Take a glimpse at the jobs you can take on—possible tasks, salary information, skill level required, and industry growth forecast: https://labourmarketinsights.gov.au/

FEES AND CHARGES

Refer to VACCHO Course Fee 2024

Skills First Aboriginal Access fee waiver’ is available for students who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islanders. Your tuition fees are covered under this scheme.

Various funding schemes will cover the amenities and material fees for a student who identifies as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.

Fees and charges for students from the broader community will be individually assessed and tailored to each case.

The student tuition fees, as published, are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment.

You may be eligible for a Fee Concession (VACCHO will check your entitlement for a Fee Concession as part of your enrolment and prior to the commencement of training). This includes holders of a current Health Care Card and pensioner Concession.

Travel and accommodation may be AbStudy subsidised for eligible students. Ask for further details.

WHAT I NEED TO BRING OR BUY

Desktop computer/laptop.
Stable internet connection with a minimum download speed of 3mbps.
An email account such as Yahoo, Hotmail or Gmail.
Microsoft Office (2010 version or later) – must include Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
Video conferencing software (Zoom) preferred.

AM I ELIGIBLE FOR A SKILLS FIRST SUBSIDISED PLACE

You must:

be an Australian citizen; OR b) a holder of a permanent visa; OR c) a New Zealand citizen.
not be enrolled in more than two Skills First subsidised qualifications at one time
commence a maximum of two Skills First subsidised programs that are AQF qualifications in a calendar year (the ‘2 AQF qualifications in a year’ limit).

OR you may meet some of the eligible criteria if you:

meet the Eligibility Exemptions Initiative requirements, eg. a retrenched worker or a JVEN client

VACCHO encourages individuals with disabilities to access government-subsidised training.

As the Skills First requirement changes frequently, please check the Victorian Government’s Skills Gateway website to check your eligibility.

For up-to-date information please contact the VACCHO Education and Training Unit on (03) 9411 9411.

FURTHER LEARNING PATHWAYS

CHC53315 Diploma of Alcohol and Other Drugs
CHC52015 Diploma of Community Services
CHC51015 Diploma in Counselling
Bachelor of Counselling
Bachelor of Community Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drugs

Training may be supported by Skills First Program, delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding. The student’s tuition fees are as published and are subject to change given individual circumstances. This nationally recognised qualification is delivered by VACCHO (RTO No: 20739 and which is responsible for the quality of all services and the issuing of accredited certification. This qualification provides the skills and knowledge to the industry standard but does not guarantee a job. We actively tailor training for people from diverse backgrounds, including those with disabilities and encourage all to apply.