Mental Health - Interprofessional Practice

Description

Professionals in the healthcare field recognize that mental disorders, including addictive behaviours, play a prominent role in the many complex clinical presentations which all front-line clinicians face. In this program, students are equipped with the appropriate clinical competencies to recognize and include mental health issues and build effective plans of care, within their current scope of practice, to ensure good clinical outcomes. Students are exposed to a variety of intervention options such as motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioural therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy and dialectal behaviour therapy. Ultimately, students develop the skills necessary to effectively work with clients to deliver enhanced services with a focus on quality across a variety of settings.

Career Opportunities

Completion of this program enhances the employability of graduates in the full range of health care professions, adding an important, long neglected, and critical component to their knowledge and skill sets. Graduates who complete this program may find employment in community-based health and social services, hospitals and other agencies providing mental health services.

Program Learning Outcomes

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

1. examine the prevalence and determinants of mental health issues and assess their impact on individuals, groups and families in order to adapt clinical interventions and optimize client care;
2. collaborate as part of an interprofessional team to deliver evidence-based,  timely, and coordinated holistic service;
3. interact with individuals and their support networks in ways that are guided by empathy, cultural sensitivity, and respect for both human diversity and the spiritual integrity of each person, in order to effectively advocate for and support clients;
4. adhere to professional, legal, and ethical standards, including policies and best practices, as they relate to the role of a health professional;
5. develop and apply strategies, including self-reflective practice and self-evaluation, to enhance professional growth and clinical competence;
6. apply client-centered intervention strategies to promote positive change with individuals and families who are experiencing mental health issues, within social and cultural contexts across the lifespan;
7. assess care needs and implement care plans, within own scope of practice, using evidence-informed knowledge, theoretical knowledge, practices and principles associated with mental disorders, addictions, crisis and trauma;
8. design and evaluate recovery plans in collaboration with the client, the client’s support network, and/or community care providers, to address service delivery gaps and ensure continuity of care.

External Recognition

Each graduate of this program meets the core competencies to be deemed an "advanced beginner" as per the Brenner Novice to Expert Framework. Those who complete this program have been able to demonstrate core competencies and have participated in clinical experiences within the mental health and/or addictions setting. Graduates are equipped to recognize and include person-centred, evidence-based and recovery oriented principles to ensure good clinical outcomes in their practice.

Program Progression 

The following reflects the planned progression for full-time offerings of the program.

Fall Intake

• Sem 1: Fall 2025
• Sem 2: Winter 2026

Admission Requirements

Ontario College Diploma, Ontario College Advanced Diploma, degree or equivalent in a health, education, human services, or community safety-related field. Related fields may include nursing, allied health professions and/or the following:

• Developmental Services Worker
• Social Service Worker
• Honours Bachelor of Counselling Psychology
• Addictions: Treatment and Prevention
• Therapeutic Recreation
• Autism and Behavioural Sciences
• Police Foundations
• Honours Bachelor of Police Studies [BAPA and BAPS]
• Community and Justice Services
• Protection, Security and Investigation
• Medical Administration

Selection Process

Applicants with a diploma or degree in a health-related field, from a private institution, must also present registration designation from the affiliated regulatory body. Applicants may be required to submit a resume and cover letter that includes details of work experience. Proof of employment or other documentation may be requested.

Criminal Reference/Vulnerable Sector Check

Placement agencies require an up-to-date clear criminal reference check and vulnerable sector check prior to going out on placement. Students should obtain their criminal reference three months prior to placement; checks conducted earlier may not be considered current. As some jurisdictions require longer lead-time for processing, please check with the program coordinator to ensure you allow for sufficient turn-around time. It is the student's responsibility to provide the completed document prior to placement start.

NOTE: Individuals who have been charged or convicted criminally and not pardoned will be prohibited from proceeding to a clinical or work placement.

Additional Information

Students attending clinical field placement must have up-to-date immunization records in compliance with the Public Hospitals Act. Students must also have a valid mask fit test and Level HCP CPR and Standard First Aid. Students are to use the Clinical Preparedness Permit to document completion of these clinical requirements.

Completion and submission of this permit is required in order to ensure placement in clinical and field placement facilities.

For the clinical field placement, students will be placed primarily with one of community partners’ facilities, which include a variety of departments and providing different services. Students are required to provide their own transportation to the placement site.

Graduation Requirements

11 Program Courses
1 Experiential Learning Opportunity

Graduation Eligibility

To graduate from this program, a student must attain a minimum of 60% or a letter grade of P (Pass) or S (Satisfactory) in each course in each semester. The passing weighted average for promotion through each semester and to graduate is 60%.

Program Tracking

The following reflects the planned course sequence for full-time offerings of the Fall intake of the program. Where more  than one intake is offered  contact the program co-ordinator for the program tracking.

Plan of Study Grid

Semester 1		Hours
Program Courses
MHCC 1000	Major Mental Disorders	56
MHCC 1001	Determinants of Health: Mental Health Policy and Practice Perspectives	56
MHCC 1002	Counselling Skills: Building Clinical Competencies	56
MHCC 1003	Trauma and Trauma-Informed Practice	56
MHCC 1004	Working with Diverse Clients	42
MHCC 1007	Issues and Trends in Mental Health Practice	42
	Hours	308
Semester 2
Program Courses
MHCC 1005	Substance-Related and Other Addictive Disorders	42
MHCC 1006	Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention	42
MHCC 1008	Geriatric Mental Health	42
MHCC 1009	Forensic Mental Health	42
MHCC 1011	Paediatric Mental Health	56
Experiential Learning Opportunity
Select 1 course from the list below.		80
	Hours	304
	Total Hours	612

Course List

Code	Title
Experiential Learning Opportunities
MHCC 1010	Clinical Field Placement
MHCC 1012	Mental Health Capstone Project

Graduation Window

Students unable to adhere to the program duration of one year (as stated above) may take a maximum of two years to complete their credential. After this time, students must be re-admitted into the program, and follow the curriculum in place at the time of re-admission.

Disclaimer: The information in this document is correct at the time of publication. Academic content of programs and courses is revised on an ongoing basis to ensure relevance to changing educational objectives and employment market needs. 

Program outlines may be subject to change in response to emerging situations, in order to facilitate student achievement of the learning outcomes required for graduation. Components such as courses, progression, coop work terms, placements, internships and other requirements may be delivered differently than published.