Interprofessional Mental Health and Addictions (Post Degree Diploma)

Total Credits:	36
Credential:	Post Degree Diploma in Interprofessional Mental Health and Addictions
Program Code:	IMHA.PDD
CIP:	51.1501

Overview

The Interprofessional Mental Health and Addictions (IMHA) Post-Degree diploma provides a dynamic learning environment for students with diverse educational degree backgrounds to critically engage with a wide range of perspectives. It aims to cultivate a holistic, contextualized, culturally-informed, and multi-perspectival understanding of mental health and addiction practice in Canada. The program prepares students for psychosocial practice in community and tertiary mental health and substance use settings, within interprofessional teams. Students develop a systems perspective on mental health and substance use, exploring the factors that contribute to vulnerability and resilience. Attention is given to Indigenous communities, with a focus on understanding the impacts of colonization and intergenerational trauma on mental health, and factors that promote resilience and well-being. Through a combination of applied learning, experiential exercises, discussions, lectures, and engagement with the literature, students evolve their critical thinking and applied skills. They gain proficiency in assessment, case conceptualization, development of individualized recovery plans, interventions or therapeutic supports, and case management. Drawing on client-centered, trauma-informed and recovery-oriented practices, students acquire the skills to facilitate individuals’ recovery from mental health and substance use disorders. The program emphasizes the development of counseling skills and evidence-based interventions to support individuals and families facing mental health and substance use challenges, including modalities such as motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy, group counseling, behavioral management, and skills training. Students have the opportunity to apply their learning in a practicum setting, where they will receive mentorship from professionals in community-based settings, further enhancing their practical skills and knowledge.

Admissions

All of:

Bachelor’s Degree - A Baccalaureate degree in Child and Youth Care, Education, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Psychology, or Social Work from a recognized post-secondary institution. Other degrees and experience in a helping role may be considered; check with the Program Leader for determination.
Resume - Resume listing work and volunteer experience.
Statement of Intention - Submission of a 400-500 word statement outlining career goals and motivation for entering the program.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, the learner will be able to

Synthesize and apply knowledge of the perspectives, values, and principles that inform leading practices and attitudes about mental health, substance use, and concurrent conditions
Critically evaluate the role of social-cultural context when assessing, treating, and responding to mental health and substance use disorders
Apply culturally sensitive and diversity-informed frameworks to all aspects of practice
Apply comprehensive knowledge of mental health, substance use, and concurrent conditions in work with individuals, families, and groups
Apply recovery-oriented principles, practices and counselling approaches when working with individuals, groups, and families
Use critical thinking skills and evidence-based practice in the assessment, planning, intervention, and evaluation of person-centered support strategies and care
Establish and maintain effective therapeutic relationships with individuals, groups, and families to facilitate change, recovery, and wellness in a collaborative and culturally respectful manner
Work effectively in an interprofessional and collaborative care context with agencies and systems
Practice responsibly and ethically and demonstrate a commitment to personal and professional accountability
Engage in ongoing critical self-reflection to assess personal experiences, values, beliefs, and cultural biases that may impact the counselling process and adjust accordingly

Curriculum

Year One

Academic Term One

All of:

IMHA 520 - Culture, Diversity and Counselling Credits: 3
IMHA 522 - Introduction to Counselling Credits: 3
IMHA 524 - Psychopathology in Social Context Credits: 3
IMHA 526 - Assessment and Recovery Planning Credits: 3
IMHA 528 - Lab-Applied Practice in Mental Health Credits: 3

Academic Term Two

All of:

IMHA 530 - Substance Use and Interventions Credits: 3
IMHA 532 - Group Counselling Credits: 3
IMHA 534 - Trauma and Interpersonal Violence Credits: 3
IMHA 536 - Professionalism in Practice Credits: 3
IMHA 538 - Recovery-Oriented Interventions Credits: 3

Academic Term Three

All of:

IMHA 540 - Practicum Credits: 6

Program Participation Requirements

Students must achieve a B- in all IMHA theory courses and a Com in IMHA 528 (Lab course) before proceeding to the practicum.
Students must provide evidence they do not have active TB. Acceptable evidence is a negative TB skin test or a negative chest x-ray. Evidence must be dated no more than six months before practicum start date. Students are responsible for the cost of the testing. An additional TB test is required after each possible exposure to TB and/or travel within an area where there is a known prevalence of TB.
Students must provide evidence of their immunization status. Students are required to maintain current immunizations as per the Practice Education Guidelines of B.C. Recommended immunizations are found on the Health Sciences Placement Network of Canada website by searching for immunization guidelines. Failure to comply with immunization guidelines could result in the health care organization or the College barring the individual from the clinical/practicum setting until proof of immunity is provided and/or until a communicable disease outbreak is declared over. This could impact a student’s ability to successfully complete the clinical/practicum placement course and/or a clinical/community rotation.
Criminal Record Check is required.
The Provincial Practice Education Guidelines require students to complete the BC Provincial Violence Prevention Training prior to clinical/practicum placements. This training will occur during the program. Students will be notified in sufficient time for the training to occur and this training will be provided by a third party. Students will be responsible for any associated costs. Failure to comply with this training could result in the health care organization, community partner or the college barring the individual from the clinical/practicum setting until required training is completed. This could impact a student’s ability to successfully complete the clinical/practicum placement. Violence prevention training from other provinces does not transfer in and meet the requirements.

Program Completion Requirements

Students must achieve a minimum of 70% (“B-“) in all theory courses, and successfully complete the practicum and lab course with a COM to graduate with a Post-Degree Diploma in Interprofessional Mental Health and Addictions.