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Diploma of Mental Health

CHC53315

Our Diploma of Mental Health will equip you with the high-level skills to support those experiencing issues relating to mental health. Our uniquely flexible and practical program will provide you the ability to offer specialist information to those affected by mental health concerns, such as intervention programs, development of wellness plans and directives, and advocacy services. You’ll also learn counselling skills and how to work with those experiencing drug and alcohol concerns.

When you graduate, you will be prepared to pursue a career in roles such as Mental Health Worker, Counsellor of Mental Health, Community Rehabilitation Support Worker, and be equipped to work within both community services and health care related industries.

COURSE GUIDE

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Icon-Course-Delivery Course Delivery

Online, Full-time, Part-time, Self-paced

Icon-Duration Duration

18 months (full time)

Icon-Units Structure

19 Units

You are able to gain entry to the Diploma of Mental Health if you have:

  • Icon-Small-Tick Completed Year 12, or
  • Icon-Small-Tick Completed a Certificate III qualification, or
  • Icon-Small-Tick have at least 3 years of sufficient life experience (work or study), if over 21 years of age.

The Diploma of Mental Health is a nationally recognised training program in Australia, so you can be assured of its quality, status and integrity.
  • Icon-Small-Tick Reduced Upfront (and enjoy a substantial discount).
  • Icon-Small-Tick Monthly Payment Plan (take advantage of our monthly payment plans over 21 or 24 months).
  • Icon-Small-Tick Pay via Credit Card or Direct Debit.

Our Student Support Centres are located in:

  • Icon-Small-Tick Brisbane
  • Icon-Small-Tick Sunshine Coast
  • Icon-Small-Tick Gold Coast & Northern Rivers
  • Icon-Small-Tick Sydney
  • Icon-Small-Tick Melbourne
  • Icon-Small-Tick Adelaide
  • Icon-Small-Tick Perth

Request a Course Guide

Please complete this form and we will respond within 24 working hours.

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Why study our Diploma of Mental Health

Our Diploma of Mental Health will set you up for a rewarding career helping others.

0 Career ready

When you graduate, you’ll be extremely well prepared to pursue a career in the mental health sector. You'll enjoy our strong industry reputation and linkage.

1 Extremely applicable

Our program is extremely suitable for people from all sorts of backgrounds. It's the ideal path, whether you are seeking a fresh start in a rewarding profession; or want to acquire specialised mental health and counselling skills as an adjunct or extension to your core profession.

2 Mental health training specialists

We believe you're better off learning from a specialist than a generalist. Many training providers deliver courses across a variety of industries. At AIPC, we prefer to concentrate on counselling and community services education.

3 Flexible learning

With so many demands on our time it can be difficult to fit study in around other commitments, that's why our Diploma of Mental Health has been designed to maximise your learning from home where you can progress through your studies at your own pace.

Course Outline

UNIT #
TITLE
UNIT #
TITLE

[CHCCSL001] Establish and confirm the counselling relationship #

The first unit of this diploma introduces you to the profession of counselling, its historical development as well as some of the major counselling theories and approaches which underpin it. You will also learn about a structured approach to establishing a counselling process and relationship as well as what are considered to be the key responsibilities of a counsellor.

[CHCCSL002] Apply specialist interpersonal and counselling interview skills #

This unit introduces you to a range of counselling skills and knowledge that will help you communicate effectively with clients in a counselling setting. Specifically, you will learn about microskills that will help you understand and establish rapport with clients, and specialist counselling skills for facilitating positive client outcomes.

[CHCCSL007] Support counselling clients in decision-making processes #

Counsellors often support clients to clarify their goals, explore options and develop a course of action. This unit introduces you to some key models and practices of decision-making commonly applied within the counselling process. You will also learn about some practice considerations for assisting clients in the decision-making process.

[CHCCSL003] Facilitate the counselling relationship and process #

This unit focuses on essential skills and knowledge for counsellors to support clients throughout the counselling process. This includes working collaboratively with clients to explore concerns, implement interventions, review effectiveness of counselling, and conclude the counselling process.

[CHCDIV001] Work with diverse people
[CHCDIV002] Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety

In this unit, you will be guided to reflect upon gender, culture, ethnicity, subcultures, sexuality and ability, and how they are each to be valued and respected within our community and a counselling context. You will also learn to communicate effectively and respectfully with people from diverse backgrounds and situations, including people who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islanders. This unit also explores the concept of cultural safety from the perspective of counselling service provision and development of community services programs.

[HLTWHS004] Manage work health and safety *

Working under Workplace Health and Safety legislation, this unit outlines how to establish, maintain and evaluate Workplace Health and Safety policies and procedures.

[CHCCCS017] Provide grief and loss support

This unit specifically explores the issues of grief and loss and how counsellors can support clients through this process. You will learn some key theories and skills that will help you to understand and respond appropriately to clients experiencing grief and loss.

[CHCMHS013] Implement trauma informed care #

This unit allows you to develop strategies to address specific trauma needs and to build the skills and knowledge required to promote trauma informed care.

[CHCADV005] Provide systems advocacy services #

Through this unit students will learn how to advocate for improvements to service delivery to enhance client outcomes.

[CHCMHS002] Establish self-directed recovery relationships *

In this unit, you will learn the required skills and knowledge to promote self-directed recovery relationships with people with mental illness, aswell as the principles of recovery oriented practice.

[CHCMHS003] Provide recovery oriented mental health services *

This unit focusses on how to work collaboratively to implement a range of strategies as part of recovery-oriented service for people with mental illness.

[CHCMHS004] Work collaboratively with care network and other services *

In this unit you will learn how to work collaboratively with care network and other potential services for a person with mental illness. Within a work context, this means working with a variety of health and community service professionals, in a recovery-oriented approach, to assist the person with mental health concerns.

[CHCMHS005] Provide services to people with co-existing mental health and alcohol and other drugs issues

This unit introduces you to the skills and knowledge to work together with clients with co-existing mental health and AOD issues, such as working collaboratively to develop and implement a plan of action to address their co-existing needs. You will also learn how to provide support and services to clients such that the risks they may experience are minimised and address their needs for further care, if required.

[CHCMHS009] Provide early intervention, health prevention and promotion programs

This unit provides you with the skills and knowledge required to develop and conduct early intervention, health prevention and promotion programs focussing on mental health and wellbeing.

[CHCMHS010] Implement recovery oriented approaches to complexity *

This unit allows you to identify and respond to issues of complexity when supporting people living with mental illness and their care networks. Using a strengths-based approach this unit works on recognising that complexity is not a characteristic of an individual. Complexity may be impacted by a range of interactions between the worker, the organisation and the environment.

[CHCMHS011] Assess and promote social, emotional and physical wellbeing #

In this unit, you will learn how to work collaboratively with individuals to assess, promote and review all aspects of wellbeing.

[CHCMHS012] Provide support to develop wellness plans and advanced directives *

In this unit you will learn what is required to develop recovery wellness plans and advanced directives to support a person living with mental illness. These plans outline the person’s preferences and plans to maintain wellness and to direct actions and support strategies should they become unwell.

[CHCPOL003] Research and apply evidence to practice

This unit focuses on how Mental Health workers conduct research on best available information to support and improve their work practice. You will learn about identifying topic and purpose of research, sourcing credible information, analysing information within the context of Mental Health work, and integrating research outcomes into your practice

[CHCPRP003] Reflect on and improve own professional practice

Students will learn how to evaluate their own professional development through evaluation and reflection practices.


# These units require practical demonstration of skills.
* This course also requires completion of a work placement of a minimum of 160 hours.

At AIPC we have a payment method to suit every student. If you decide to pay for your course upfront you will enjoy a substantial discount, and you can concentrate on your studies without thinking about further payments.

If you would prefer to spread your payments, you can take advantage of our monthly payment plans over 18 months.

To further assist make training as accessible as possible, we separate payment for tuition (theory elements) from that of the practical course elements. Payment for the practical elements is done as they are undertaken. See full details below.

We always strive to keep tuition as affordable as possible, opening up quality education for everyone.

Course*
Reduced Upfront Payment
Monthly Payments**

Diploma of Mental Health

$4,790
$275
x 21 months

*Total upfront course cost is $5,910, which includes tuition of $4,790, plus 8 practical sessions each of $140. The practical elements are paid for as they are undertaken. They can be completed either on-campus (via four 1-day workshops, and two 2-day workshops), online (via Zoom/Skype), by uploading a video demonstration, or by having a private assessor assess your skills.

**Monthly payments can be made by Credit Card or Direct Debit.

For over 30-years AIPC has set the benchmark for service and support in external studies. We provide a complete external study support system that has been developed and refined over decades of research and continual student feedback.

Unlimited access to the Institutes Toll Free 1300 Study Assistance Line, 9am to 5pm EST Monday to Friday.

The structure of the Diploma of Mental Health ensures you graduate with sufficient practical skill so you can apply your knowledge with confidence.

Regular seminars give you the opportunity to apply the theory you have learned in contemporary scenarios. They are also a great opportunity to get together with fellow students and participate in casework sessions under the guidance of a qualified Lecturer. Seminars are held regularly in most capital cities throughout Australia.

Students who may not be able to attend seminars for whatever reason, can elect to complete the practical components through alternate means, such as a one-on-one or small group session with a private assessor. We have private assessors in numerous regional areas across Australia.

Students can also complete their practical components by video recording a demonstration of their skills. We have guidelines available to assist students compile their recordings and develop effective role plays to demonstrate their skills.

Optional tutorials are available at most Student Support Centres. Tutorials provide you with support on each written subject.

Two-hour mini-lecture style:

  • Will assist you in understanding theory,
  • provide you with tips on how to structure your study timetable,
  • help you successfully compile your assignments, and
  • give you the opportunity to ask any questions you may have.

The Institute website is an extremely helpful study resource. Via the website you can access My.AIPC which is your link to numerous study support and e-learning functions. You can:

  • Download electronic versions of your workbooks,
  • Complete your activities and upload for marking,
  • Contact an Online Education Adviser for study assistance,
  • Access the Knowledge Base, a massive database of the most commonly asked academic questions, categorised for particular subjects, activities and concepts,
  • See when seminars are available in your area,
  • Plus much more.

Ready to start?

Applying is easy using our simple online application process.

Guarantee-Money-Back

30-Day Money Back Guarantee

If you're not satisfied we'll give you your money back.


Zero Risk

Your enrolment comes with a guarantee that empowers you to enrol risk-free. if, for any reason whatsoever you decide you do not want to proceed with your course within 30-day, we will give you a 100%, no questions asked, money back guarantee.

Request a Course Guide

Please complete this form and we will respond within 24 working hours.