Community Mental Health and Addictions Worker

Students examine their local communities through the lens of a community support worker. They focus on the three tenets of community social work: 1) the local identification of needs, 2) the localized formation of solutions, and 3) the mobilization of collective response.

Students do a research project outlining the community resources that are available to them. They get to know their community through onsite visits, telephone calls, website surfing, etc. The research project outlines what is available in the community and what is lacking in the community.

This course explores harm reduction as a pragmatic and evidence-based framework for addressing substance use. It emphasizes strategies that prioritize safety, dignity, and client autonomy while reducing negative health and social outcomes. Students develop the skills to engage in supportive peer relationships, facilitate group processes, and implement harm reduction strategies across diverse contexts.

This course explores the historical and contemporary experiences of Indigenous peoples in Canada. It looks at the impacts of colonization, systemic discrimination, and intergenerational trauma as well as the resilience and healing practices rooted in Indigenous knowledge, traditions, and community support systems.

The course also addresses the diverse realities of other groups who may experience marginalization, such as newcomers to Canada, LGBTQ+ communities, racial and ethnic minorities, and individuals from varied cultural and religious backgrounds. Students analyze the social, cultural, and systemic barriers these groups face in accessing equitable care, as well as the ways in which practitioners can build culturally safe, respectful, and responsive relationships.

This course delves into the pharmacological characteristics and behavioural implications of a range of substances. It offers a critical look at the use of drugs in various medical settings, including their role in treating mood disorders and schizophrenia.

Students also investigate the physiological and psychological repercussions of the recreational use of drugs like alcohol, nicotine, and marijuana. They learn to distinguish between the major classes of drugs and gain insight into their distinct characteristics and effects on the mind and body.

In this course, students examine the history and paradigms of social work while building the self-awareness and interpersonal skills necessary to support diverse clients. The course emphasizes the principles of ethical practice, including confidentiality, informed consent, boundaries, cultural sensitivity, and accountability.

This course emphasizes practical applications of psychology to client behaviour, communication, and support. Students explore how learning, memory, motivation, and development influence client interactions, decision making, and recovery processes. Key attention is given to understanding stress trauma, addiction, and group dynamics.

This course examines contemporary Canadian families, including diverse structures such as single-parent households, blended families, Indigenous families, newcomer families, and LGBTQ+ families.

Students explore the ways in which poverty, addiction, trauma, and systemic inequality affect families, and how these factors influence the needs of clients. Attention is placed on identifying common family stressors, recognizing signs of family conflict or violence, and understanding the impact of family systems individual behaviour.

This course provides an overview of human growth and development across the lifespan, from infancy through late adulthood. It highlights how developmental stages influence behaviour, coping strategies, and client needs in mental health and addictions contexts.

Students explore key physical, cognitive, and social changes across the lifespan, with reference to selected psychological theories such as those of Piaget, Erikson, and Kohlberg. Emphasis is placed on recognizing developmental milestones, understanding common challenges at each stage of life, and applying this knowledge to support diverse individuals in real-life scenarios.

In this course, students look at the skills that are needed to work effectively in teams. They explore different types of teams and the roles of team members. Students also look at group problem solving and decision making. The role of a nurturing positive person and mentor/coach is also discussed.

In this course, students are introduced to the social welfare system from a Canadian perspective. They gain a deep understanding of the services and programs designed to meet the needs of the Canadian populace, including diverse groups such as Aboriginal communities, multicultural societies, and individuals with disabilities.

Students learn to evaluate the efficacy of various social programs using evidence-based approaches. They are encouraged to propose improvements focusing on inclusivity, efficiency, and responsiveness.

In this course, students explore psychological disorders and the therapies used to treat them. Topics include the definition of abnormality, anxiety and mood disorders, somatoform and dissociative disorders, schizophrenia, and personality disorders. Insight, behavioural, cognitive, and biological therapies are examined.

This course focuses on creating accurate, professional, and legally sound documentation in community mental health and addictions support settings. Students gain confidence in using digital tools to prepare, format, and organize chart notes, incident reports, case summaries, and other records commonly required in front-line service work.

This course emphasizes the practical aspects of outreach, including initial client contact, intake interviewing, needs assessment, and referral to appropriate services. Students learn strategies for building trust, maintaining professional boundaries, and ensuring cultural sensitivity. Ethical and legal responsibilities such as confidentiality and informed consent are also discussed.

This course helps students develop career search skills. It covers resume and cover letter writing, interview techniques, and communication skills. Students also learn about networking techniques and how to navigate the job market.

This course emphasizes how social structures, inequality, culture, and group dynamics influence the lives of individuals and the challenges they face. Students explore issues of poverty, stigma, and marginalization, and how these shape access to resources and services. Emphasis is placed on Canadian social contexts, including Indigenous issues, newcomer experiences, LGBTQ+ inclusion, and family dynamics.

The internship component of the program is the practical application of a student’s knowledge and skills in an industry environment. The industry shall be directly related to the student’s program of study. The internship requires full-time day attendance working in the industry setting.