Program at a glance
Credential
Post-Degree Diploma
Work experience
Clinical/fieldwork placement
Delivery
Blended
Study options
Full-time
Part-time
Open to International
No
Area of study
Length
11 months
Advance your professional skills
Students participate in dynamic and applied learning experiences that emphasize counselling skills and recovery-based interventions to support individuals and families facing mental health and substance use challenges.
The Interprofessional Mental Health and Addictions Post-Degree (IMHA) diploma will provide students with advanced knowledge and skills to work collaboratively with people affected by mental health and/or addiction/substance use challenges. Students will gain the necessary knowledge, theoretical frameworks, assessment skills, and counselling interventions to help individuals and their families navigate recovery from mental health and addiction challenges. There is a strong emphasis on applied learning and students will gain skills in motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy, and stage-wise case-management.
- Applied Learning:Equip yourself with hands-on lab skills training for practical application of knowledge, assessment and counselling skills.
- Holistic Approach:Gain a comprehensive understanding of psychosocial practices with a focus on holistic, culturally informed, and multi-perspective viewpoints.
- Preparation for Real-World Practice:Be mentored for working within interprofessional teams to support psychosocial practice in community and tertiary mental health and substance use settings.
- Interdisciplinary Learning:Enhance your professional toolkit through critical engagement with diverse perspectives and methodologies. Experience a collaborative atmosphere with students from diverse backgrounds.
- Contextualized Education:Study mental health and addictions within the Canadian context, addressing real-world challenges.
- Expert Instructors:Learn from experienced instructors committed to your success in this evolving field.
Blended delivery
Using a combination of online and seminar class styles, this graduate level program offers a variety of opportunities to apply skills and knowledge forfurther career advancementin the area of mental health and addictions.
Who are our students?
You’ll study with students from a variety of disciplines:
- University students pursuing psychology, social work, child and youth care, education, and nursing.
- Recent graduates from the humanities wanting professional qualifications.
- Professionals seeking advanced skills and knowledge.
Graduate Opportunities
- Dz⳾Գ:Our program aligns with industry needs and offers ample job prospects. Diverse settings include residential programs, treatment centres, community agencies, assertive community teams, mental health clinics, and hospital environments.
- Education: Prepares graduates for pathways to Master-level programs in community and health studies.
Career options
Our students are recognized for theirspecialized trainingenabling them to work with interprofessional teams addressing the complex needs of individuals and families with mental health and addiction challenges. IMHA graduates are working indiverse settingssuch as group homes, treatment centres, community agencies, assertive community teams and hospitals.
Next offering
The program starts in September. The practicum component will include 30 hours per week at a practice site plus seminar and online learning time. You’ll attend approximatelyfifteen mandatory face-to-face seminarscombined with online learning at the college over the year. All students must attend the orientation.
This program is available throughdistance deliveryacross Canada and internationally. Distance students who do not live on Vancouver Island may not be expected to attend all the face-to-face seminars. Consult theProgram Leaderfor more information.
Indigenous Limited Priority Admissions
The School of Health & Human Services (HHS) offers Priority Seating for Indigenous students in all Health related programs.
VisitEyēʔ Sqȃ’lewen - Centre for Indigenous Education & Community Connections (IECC)for information on how to apply.
Any questions about the application process, please contacthhsindigenoussupport@camosun.ca
TheIndigenous Limited Priority Admissionsprocess, approved by the Board of Governors, supported by the Education Council, and approved by the BC Human Rights Tribunal, welcomes applications from all qualified Indigenous applicants.
What you'll learn
Current students wanting information about your program, go to student planning in.
Program outline
For more details, including courses, please see the program outline in the Academic Calendar.
Applied learning
The Interprofessional Mental Health and Addictions program is a comprehensive and challenging program, condensed into 10 months of study, to prepare you for work in the field of mental health and addictions.
What to expect
This program is a bended delivery with online coursework and on-campus bi-weekly labs and seminars. Students who do not live on Vancouver Island have options to participate synchronously online depending on location and learning activities. Please contact the Program Leader for more details.
The eight-week practicum is 36 hours a week. This includes 24 hours at a practice site and remainder of time in seminar and online learning.
IMHA program handbooks
Find current student information in theSchool of Health and Human Servicesand IMHA programhandbooks.
Tuition and fees
Effective from September 1, 2024, to August 31, 2025
Estimated tuition
Tuition estimates are for the entire program.
Interprofessional Mental Health and Addictions, Post-Degree Diploma
$7406 (domestic)
Domestic tuition fees vary depending on the individual course fees for the classes you select.
For International students visit: International Tuition & Fees.
Student fees
In addition to tuition estimates, student fees are calculated based on your enrolment. Refer to:Student Fees.
Financial assistance
You may need to find more than one source of funding to help pay for your education and living costs while attending college. Check out sources of money you don't need to pay back as well as those that need to be repaid.
Admission requirements
All of:
When you apply you will need to submit proof that you meet the program admission requirements listed above. Where a letter grade is specified, you must have proof of that grade or higher.
For more details, including courses, please see the program outline in the Academic Calendar: Loading...
Ready to get started?
Please email your Resume and Statement of Intention to the Program Leader.
Check our current program availability.
Missing admission requirements?
You may be able to take an assessment or upgrade with us.
Need help applying?
Find out more on How to Apply or speak to an Admissions Advisor.
Contact us
If you have admissions questions contact us today!
If you have questions about what you can expect to learn in your Health and Human Services classes contacthhsinfo@camosun.ca
Faculty/staff profile
Michelle Jaworsky
Chair of CFCS Department, Program Leader, and Instructor
jaworskym@camosun.ca
250-370-4293
Alex & Jo Campbell Centre for Health and Wellness
Faculty/staff profile
Michelle Bass
Program Leader, Interprofessional Mental Health and Addictions (IMHA)
bassm@camosun.ca
250-370-4294
Alex & Jo Campbell Centre for Health and Wellness (CHW)
Faculty/staff profile
Jody Watson
Instructor and Program Leader, MHA
watsonj@camosun.ca
250-370-4297
Alex & Jo Campbell Centre for Health and Wellness (CHW)
Faculty/staff profile
Kristin Ross
Instructor
ross@camosun.ca
250-370-4292
Alex & Jo Campbell Centre for Health and Wellness
Faculty/staff profile
Miriam Curtis
Practicum Coordinator
curtism@camosun.ca
250-370-4657
Alex & Jo Campbell Centre for Health and Wellness (CHW)
Faculty/staff profile
Sheryl Haynes
Instructor, Practicum Coordinator
hayness@camosun.ca
250-370-4296
Alex & Jo Campbell Centre for Health and Wellness
Learn more
For more details, including courses, please see the program outline in the Academic Calendar.
Contact information
School of Health and Human Services
If you have admissions questions please contact Admissions.