Diploma of Mental Health

Launch your career and make an impact in the growing field of mental health support

Course code

CHC53315

Delivery location

Frankston

International

Not available for International students

Length

Full Time, 1.5 years.

Start dates

February

• Timetable

  Please note: Days and times may be subject to change.
  
  Monday, Thursday 9am - 4pm (and an evening class via zoom in stage 2 and 3)
  
  • Days per week: 2
  • Hours per day: 6
  • Expected hours of self-directed learning per week: 6
  
  Learning is conducted partially in-person and partially online or remote.

• Study units

  Unit code	Unit Description
  CHCMHS003	Provide recovery oriented mental health services
  CHCMHS009	Provide early intervention, health prevention and promotion programs
  CHCMHS010	Implement recovery oriented approaches to complexity
  CHCMHS004	Work collaboratively with the care network and other services
  CHCDIV001	Work with diverse people.
  CHCPRP003	Reflect on and improve own professional practice
  CHCDIV002	Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety
  CHCMHS002	Establish self-directed recovery relationships
  CHCMHS011	Assess and promote social, emotional and physical wellbeing
  HLTWHS004	Manage work health and safety
  CHCMHS012	Provide support to develop wellness plans and advanced directives
  CHCMHS005	Provide services to people with co-existing mental health and alcohol and other drugs issues
  CHCPOL003	Research and apply evidence to practice
  CHCADV005	Provide systems advocacy services
  CHCMHS013	Implement trauma informed care
  CHCAOD001	Work in an alcohol and other drugs context
  CHCAOD004	Assess needs of clients with alcohol and other drug issues
  CHCCSM004	Coordinate complex case requirements
  CHCSOH013	Work with people experiencing or at risk of homelessness
  HLTWHS006	Manage personal stressors in the work environment

• Assessment methods

  • Observation
  • Questioning or Test/Quiz
  • Project
  • Presentation
  • Portfolio
  • Logbook/ Diary/ Journal
  • Report (Supervisor/Third Party)
  • Report/Essay

• Admission requirements

  • Minimum age requirement: 18

  Inherent requirements

  Our inherent requirements are a guide to help you decide if a course is right for you.

  If you are a student with a disability, long-term illness, mental health condition or are a primary carer of an individual with a disability, you can apply for support through our Equitable Learning and Disability Support team.

  Cognitive/Emotional:
  Students will need to have resilience and coping strategies in place to manage the potential challenges of the course. Triggers could occur from the intake information and a number of role plays throughout the course, so it is suggested that those with a lived experience of mental health or AOD issues, family violence and other access to community services should be at least 12 months in their recovery or 12 months from being in crisis
  
  Experience:
  Students need to have highly developed interpersonal communication skills ideally developed through previous study and workplace experience in working with people with complexity.
  
  Other:
  The Student Enquiry and Enrolment Services team may refer the applicant to the Community and Social Services Department to assess the applicant's suitability to meet the requirements of the course if required.

  Language, literacy and numeracy

  You are required to complete a language, literacy and numeracy skills test before course commencement. This will determine course suitability and if you may need additional support.
  
  We use an approved online skills review tool to determine your language, literacy and numeracy skills within the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF).
  
  Below are the levels required for this course:

  • Language and literacy: 3 (Working level 4)
  • Numeracy: 2 (Working level 3)

• Practical placement

  You will need to complete a minimum of 160 hours of practical placement to successfully complete the course.

  Documentation or licences required for practical placement

  You must:
  • Hold a valid Working with Children Check (volunteer or employee) for the duration of the program.
  • Hold a valid National Police Record Check. If you believe there would be a disclosable issue on your National Police Check, a confidential conversation will be required before enrolment to determine suitability for work within the healthcare environment.
  • And you may need to complete a NDIS worker Screening Check if placement is conducted with an Organisation providing NDIS service response. This will be at the student’s expense.

• Simulated work environment

  During the course all students will need to participate in simulate role plays reflecting real work environments. Students will be required to take on the role of an Mental Health worker and may be required to play a clients depending on the scenario.
  Role play scenarios may involve:
  • Challenging situation including threats, violence and behaviours of concern
  • Working through mental health concerns
  • Providing information, support and referral
  • Crisis intervention and conflict resolution
  • Family violence situations
  • Abuse and neglect
  • Substance use
  
  Dress code for students undertaking this course is comfortable casual however as a community services worker students are expected to take into consideration the below dress code standards when on campus:
  • Avoid revealing clothing
  • Refraining from clothing that may display offensive language or images

• Course and career pathways

  Nationally recognised training	Diploma of Mental Health	Bachelor Of Community Mental Health, Alcohol And Other Drugs	Associate Degree Of Psychology	Bachelor Of Psychology
  Possible job outcome	mental health support worker welfare support worker community rehabilitation and support worker	welfare coordinator psychosocial rehabilitation worker dual diagnosis practitioner mental health worker	psychiatric technician social services specialist career counsellor case manager	psychiatric technician rehabilitation specialist social services specialist case manager

• Fees

  Tuition fees* (GST exempt)

  Fees

  Fee Type	Fee Amount	Select
  Concession	Not available	ConcessionAmount
  Government subsidised	$8,468	GovernmentSubsidisedAmount
  Full fee paying	$17,958	FullfeeAmount
  Mandatory other fees** (GST inclusive)
  Materials	$75	MaterialFeeAmount
  And one of: Student services – concession (annual) OR	Not available	studentservicefeewithConcession
  Student services - no concession (annual)	$270	studentservicefeewithnoConcession

  Total fees  

  *Student tuition fees are correct at time of publishing and are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. Please note: Fees will be subject to change if the course runs over two or more calendar years. Check here to see if you are eligible for government-subsidised training. Training to eligible students is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth funding. Students with a disability are encouraged to apply for this course using Skills First funding.
  **You are required to pay additional fees for materials and support services, not covered by your tuition fees. This may include things like learning resources, personal protective equipment/clothing, and vary depending on the course you study. Material fees are also subject to change given individual circumstances. Please note: You will also be required to pay the Student Services fee for each year of enrolment.

• Help with fees

  At Chisholm, you can get a VET Student Loan to help you pay for all or part of the tuition fees for this course. VET student loans will not be approved for students who do not meet eligibility requirements. VET student loan gives rise to a HELP debt that continues to be a debt due to the Commonwealth until it is repaid. Find out more about how a VET Student Loan can help you study now and pay later.

  If you are eligible for a student loan, you can access up to $18,838 from 1 January, 2025 to help cover the tuition fees for this course.

  Scholarships

  Annual scholarships may be available to eligible students suffering financial hardship through the Caroline Chisholm Education Foundation. Find out how to apply for a scholarship. 

  Government-subsidised training

  Check to see if you are eligible for government-subsidised training. Training to eligible students is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth funding. Students with a disability are encouraged to apply for this course using Skills First funding.

• Skills recognition

  Your current skills, knowledge and experience can help you get a qualification.

  Find out about skills recognition and RPL for certificate to advanced diploma courses.

  Find out about advanced standing for graduate certificate, graduate diploma and bachelor degree courses.