Course Info

TAFE NSW
Courses
Diploma of Mental Health

Diploma of Mental Health

National Course Code: CHC53315

Find a location to enrol

Overview

The nationally accredited Diploma in Mental Health will equip you to become a leader in the industry. You will help people with mental health issues find solutions, and implement your skills in a real work environment. Be in-demand and make a profound difference to those experiencing mental illness.

This is a fully government subsidised JobTrainer course. Eligibility criteria applies.

LEARN NEW SKILLS

Through theory and practical course work, you will learn how to:

Work with diverse people
Promote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural safety
Provide recovery oriented mental health services
Work collaboratively with the care network and other services
Provide early intervention, health prevention and promotion programs
Implement recovery oriented approaches to complexity
Recognise the laws affecting people with mental health issues
Assess and promote social, emotional and physical wellbeing

DEVELOP YOUR TALENT

Use and develop your natural abilities and skills to get ahead in this field:

The ability to work with others
An empathetic nature
Advanced conflict resolution skills
Adaptability
Resilience

ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS

A nationally recognised diploma qualification
Leadership and supervisory skills
Skills to support people who have experienced mental illness and psychiatric disability

Career opportunities:

Community rehabilitation and support worker
Welfare support worker
Community rehabilitation worker

GROW YOUR CAREER

Bachelor of Community Services with TAFE Degrees
Explore the TAFE NSW Credit Transfer website to discover if you are eligible for credits towards a university degree

INDUSTRY DEMAND

There are forecast to be around 6,000 new job openings per year until 2023. This makes now a great time to start studying towards a career in Mental Health Support Work.

Locations

This course is currently available at 26 campus locations across NSW and online. Enquire now for other locations.

Course details

Character Traits

People who are successful in this industry have:

The ability to work with others
An empathetic nature
An understanding of the issues people with mental illness face
Conflict resolution skills and enjoy empowering people to discover solutions
The ability to be highly adaptable and respond easily to change
A high level of resilience

Assessments

Assessments give you the opportunity to demonstrate what you have learned and to identify the knowledge or skills that may need further development.
In this course you can expect:

Skills assessments: role-play scenarios, presentations, practical, observation (including assessments in the workplace)
Knowledge assessments: multiple choice, true or false, short answer questions
Case study: case study scenario, reflection
Portfolio: samples of work in a workplace environment
Project: report, research-based project, journal, essay

Compare course levels

The Certificate IV in Mental Health is where you will develop a strong foundation in mental health skills.

The Diploma of Mental provides you with a high level of specialist knowledge and skills and is ideal if you have experience working in mental health or a similar field. You can enrol in this without doing the Certificate IV, however the Certificate IV cements your foundational knowledge and sets you up for success in the Diploma.

Hands-on skills

You will also gain hands-on experience in:

Working appropriately with diversity
Leading and making independent decisions
Promoting safety: physical, emotional, cultural and spiritual
Contributing to wellbeing and recovery
Working collaboratively with other services
Understanding and working effectively within trauma-informed care
Responding appropriately to crises
Making referrals to other appropriate services
Engaging in critical analysis and reflection of your own practice
Working within organisational policy and procedures in regards to documentation

Real world projects

Prior to commencing your work placement, you will be provided with numerous opportunities to work with, assess and respond to simulated clients with a variety of mental health requirements. This ensures you have relevant, helpful and authentic experiences responding professionally to complex needs.

Campus facilities

TAFE NSW offers you a range of study environments to enhance your learning and employability, such as:

TAFE NSW campus classrooms: you will be equipped with the knowledge needed to work within the community services sector.
Indigo Community Services and Health Hub: a custom-designed virtual simulated organisation where you will develop practical skills
Work placement at a Mental Health organisation: your work placement hours provide an opportunity to refine your practical skills

Industry trends

In the January 2019, the Federal Government announced a $1.45 billion funding boost for mental health services. In addition, the NSW government has pledged $700million towards a statewide mental health infrastructure program.

There are forecast to be around 6,000 new job openings per year until 2023 in the mental health sector across all regions in Australia. Therefore by 2023, it is expected that there will be approximately 52,100 jobs. This makes now a great time to start studying towards a career in Mental Health Support Work.

Course of the future

Mental health awareness is on the rise. People are more comfortable finding help and this has lead to increased demand for mental health services.

There are forecast to be around 6,000 new job openings per year until 2023 in the mental health sector across all regions in Australia. These job openings include new jobs being created. Therefore by 2023, it is expected that there will be approximately 52,100 jobs. This makes now a great time to start studying towards a career in Mental Health Support Work.