CHC53315 Diploma of Mental Health

Mental health is one of the most critical and dynamic areas of public health across the world. It is an integral and essential component of health. The World Health Organisation states: “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”

The Diploma of Mental Health CHC53315 equips graduates with the skills to support their client’s holistic health and an overall state of well-being in which an individual realises his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and is able to make a contribution to his or her community. With more than one in five people suffering a mental health illness at some point in their lives, well trained Mental Health professionals are essential for a healthy community.

As a Mental Health student at EQUALS, you are comprehensively trained across multiple service delivery areas – including prevention, planning, delivery and treatment, recovery and evaluation. There is a strong emphasis on working with diverse cultures and communities, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Our Mental Health graduates may be employed in a range of settings including schools, medical centres, outreach services. hospitals, shelters, community service providers, educational institutions, prisons and long term residential facilities.

Pathways into mental health as a career include vocational training and tertiary qualifications. Students who complete this diploma may be eligible for entry into higher education courses in areas such as Social Work, Nursing, Psychology, Human Services and Applied Public Health. VET Pathways include Advanced Diploma in Community Sector Management CHC62015.

The Diploma of Mental Health CHC53315 offers graduates a variety of employment opportunities within the health, human and community services sectors. These may include Welfare Support Workers and Mental Health Outreach Support Workers, Community Engagement Workers and other Rehabilitation Workers within the sector.

Direct entry into the Diploma is available to eligible applicants.

Entry Requirements

Entry to Diploma study at EQUALS requires:

Successful completion of Year 12 in an Australian secondary school system or its equivalent; or Completion of a Certificate III or equivalent; or Mature Age Entry.

Applicants who have completed previous study in Community Services or Health areas will be well regarded.

Domestic applicants will be required to demonstrate adequate literacy and numeracy skills at pre-admission interview through formal assessment, such as the CSPA test.

Current and valid Department of Communities & Social Inclusion (DCSI) Screening Checks for working with Children, with Vulnerable People and in the Aged Care Sector, & Physical Fitness are required for this course.

If you do not hold a current DCSI check, you are required to apply through DCSI at the time of application for enrolment at EQUALS. A DCSI check must be acquired prior to industry placement. Visit http://www.dcsi.sa.gov.au/services/screening for further information.

Please note that the outcome of your DCSI screening check may affect industry placement opportunities, and that this is at the discretion of placement host facilities.

Current First Aid certification may be a requirement for industry placement; this is at the discretion of the industry host.

English Requirements

Please view the English requirements for international students on this page.

Course Structure

Study Units

Core Units

CHCADV005 Provide systems advocacy services
CHCDIV001 Work with diverse people
CHCDIV002 Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety
CHCMHS002 Establish self-directed recovery relationships
CHCMHS003 Provide recovery oriented mental health services
CHCMHS004 Work collaboratively with the care network and other services
CHCMHS005 Provide services to people with co-existing mental health and alcohol and other drugs issues
CHCMHS009 Provide early intervention, health prevention and promotion programs
CHCMHS010 Implement recovery oriented approaches to complexity
CHCMHS011 Assess and promote social, emotional and physical wellbeing
CHCMHS012 Provide support to develop wellness plans and advanced directives
CHCMHS013 Implement trauma informed care
CHCPOL003 Research and apply evidence to practice
CHCPRP003 Reflect on and improve own professional practice
HLTWHS004 Manage work health and safety

Elective Units offered by EQUALS

HLTWHS006 Manage personal stressors in the work environment
CHCAOD004 Assess needs of clients with alcohol and other drugs issues
CHCAOD007 Develop strategies for alcohol and other drugs relapse prevention and management
CHCAOD009 Develop and review individual alcohol and other drugs treatment plans
CHCMHS006 Facilitate the recovery process with the person, family and carers

Work Integrated Learning (Placement)

This course includes a minimum of 160 hours of industry placement, typically performed on a part-time basis during the course.

Fees and Funding Options

Government Subsidised Training for Domestic Students
As a domestic student, you may be eligible for government subsidised training, check your eligibility here.

Government Subsidised Training Fee	$700
Amenities Fee	$350
VET Loan Cap	$18,097

Tuition Fee	$12,950
Student Services Fee	$250
Amenities Fee	$350

Credit Transfer

Credit for Prior Learning

Yes.

National Recognition (Credit Transfer) and Recognition of Prior Learning

If you have related prior education and experiences, you may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Please follow this link for more information on applying for Recognition of Prior Learning. If you have successfully completed units of competency from this qualification previously, you may be eligible for National Recognition, please follow this link for more information on National Recognition (Credit Transfer).

Graduate Attributes

EQUALS is dedicated to developing our Graduate Attributes in all our students. They encapsulate, in very succinct form, the full breadth of our virtues and spiritual principles and are core to the spirit and work of EQUALS. Our Graduate Attributes express our vision and mission, and they are focused on you, our students.

Learn more about our Graduate Attributes.

Education & Community Services Courses