Diploma of Mental Health

About this course

Did you know that one in five Australians will experience mental health issues in their lifetime?

This course will help you enter an in-demand field and provide vital support services to those who are dealing with mental health issues.

This training will equip you with the specialised knowledge and skills to:

support individuals within the most appropriate framework
implement recovery and trauma-informed practices
work across a range of mental health services
contribute to the wellbeing of a diversity of clients
comply with the latest laws and legislation regarding mental health issues and support work.

This course will help prepare you for roles in clinical and community settings such as:

mental health support worker
mental health outreach worker
case manager
mental health coordinator or assessor
welfare support worker
program service coordinator.

A minimum number of work placement hours must be completed to achieve this qualification.

Note that the availability of electives may vary depending on your selected training provider.

This qualification is recognised nationally under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).

This course can be done as a traineeship. You’ll get technical knowledge through coursework and hands-on experience through paid work. On completion you will receive a nationally recognised qualification.

To enrol as a trainee, you’ll need:
1. a job in a relevant workplace in the same field as your course, and
2. an employer willing to sign a Commonwealth Government ‘Training Contract’ and support your learning at work.
To get started:
- contact an Apprentice Connect Australia Provider for information on finding an employer and for ongoing support
- find a course provider that delivers the course as a traineeship.
To get help:
- contact the TAFE and Training Line
- visit our apprenticeships and traineeships page
- visit Apprenticeships Victoria.

Units of study

Core units

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

Elective units

Unit title	Unit code
Manage budgets and financial plans	BSBFIM501
Work in an alcohol and other drugs context	CHCAOD001
Work with clients who are intoxicated	CHCAOD002
Provide needle and syringe services	CHCAOD003
Assess needs of clients with alcohol and other drugs issues	CHCAOD004
Provide alcohol and other drugs withdrawal services	CHCAOD005
Provide interventions for people with alcohol and other drugs issues	CHCAOD006
Develop strategies for alcohol and other drugs relapse prevention and management	CHCAOD007
Provide advanced interventions to meet the needs of clients with alcohol and other drugs issues	CHCAOD008
Develop and review individual alcohol and other drugs treatment plans	CHCAOD009
Provide loss and grief support	CHCCCS017
Provide suicide bereavement support	CHCCCS018
Implement participation and engagement strategies	CHCCDE004
Work to empower Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities	CHCCDE006
Establish and confirm the counselling relationship	CHCCSL001
Facilitate the counselling relationship and process	CHCCSL003
Support counselling clients in decision-making processes	CHCCSL007
Coordinate complex case requirements	CHCCSM004
Counsel clients affected by domestic and family violence	CHCDFV006
Provide community focused health promotion and prevention strategies	CHCEDU001
Assess the needs of clients with problem gambling issues	CHCGMB001
Provide counselling for clients with problem gambling issues	CHCGMB002
Meet statutory and organisation information requirements	CHCINM001
Respond to client language, literacy and numeracy needs	CHCLLN001
Develop, implement and review quality framework	CHCMGT001
Manage partnership agreements with service providers	CHCMGT002
Facilitate the recovery process with the person, family and carers	CHCMHS006
Develop and maintain networks and collaborative partnerships	CHCPRP001
Promote and conduct mental health peer work	CHCPWK006
Manage and maintain tenancy agreements and services	CHCSOH002
Manage head lease	CHCSOH008
Develop quality systems in line with registration standards	CHCSOH009
Recruit, induct and support volunteers	CHCVOL003
Recognise healthy body systems	HLTAAP001
Assist clients with medication	HLTHPS006
Interpret and use information about nutrition and diet	HLTHPS010
Manage personal stressors in the work environment	HLTWHS006

Course providers

This course is offered by the following providers. Click on the links to the provider websites for the latest information on course details, fees and how to apply.

Government funding for eligible students:
Locations: Frankston Road (Frankston)
Delivery modes: Full time on-campus
- Visit Chisholm Institute for course details, fees and how to apply
- Check our FAQs on choosing a course and provider
Government funding for eligible students:
Locations: Mount Helen (Ballarat)
Delivery modes: Full time on-campus
- Visit Federation University for course details, fees and how to apply
- Check our FAQs on choosing a course and provider
Government funding for eligible students:
Locations: Head Office (Shepparton), Sale, Morwell
Delivery modes: Online/off-campus, Flexible delivery, Part time on-campus
- Visit Partners in Training Australia for course details, fees and how to apply
- Check our FAQs on choosing a course and provider
Government funding for eligible students:
Locations: Head Office (Southbank), Greater Beveridge Community Centre (Beveridge)
Delivery modes: Full time on-campus
- Visit Stirling Institute of Australia for course details, fees and how to apply
- Check our FAQs on choosing a course and provider
Government funding for eligible students:
Locations: Collingwood
Delivery modes: Part time on-campus
- Visit Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) for course details, fees and how to apply
- Check our FAQs on choosing a course and provider