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Diploma Of Mental Health
CHC53315
Training provided by Partners in Training Australia, RTO 21837.
Course Overview
This Diploma of Mental Health reflects the role of workers who provide services to clients in relation to mental health issues. They can provide counselling, referral, advocacy and education/health promotion services. These workers are required to have high level specialist knowledge, skills and competencies especially in regard to laws affecting people with mental health issues, the range of services available to them and health issues related to mental health.
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This qualification includes 160 hours of workplace experience (placement) in an approved workplace setting. You will work under supervision in a real-life industry setting to gain skills and knowledge that could help you to step directly into the workforce.
Please note you will not be studying through Fresh Futures Australia but Partners in Training a Nationally Recognised Registered Training Organisation.
Course Essentials
Qualification Code: CHC53315
Recognition: Nationally recognised - meets Australian Qualifications Framework.
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Study: Part-time study
Study mode: Classroom-based
Class time: 9.30am to 4.30pm
Duration: 15 months
Revision: 2 x 7-hour revision sessions at which you must be able to demonstrate sufficient course progression to proceed in your course.
Assessments can include: Knowledge evidence, demonstrations and observations, presentations, projects, role plays, and case studies.
Practical Placement Hours: 160 hours (Minimum)
Admin Fee: $100 (Upfront & non-refundable)
Tuition Fee if eligible for Government funding: $200 (no concession) or $0 (for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students)
Requirements
Interested in this course? Here's what you need to know before diving in:
Education: No need to fret about formal education requirements to study this course! We're more interested in your enthusiasm to learn.
Minimum Age: This course is only open to those aged 18 and above.
Language, Literacy and Numeracy: Partners in Training Australia want to make sure this course is the perfect fit for you, so they’ll assess your language, literacy, and numeracy skills before enrolment.
Enrolment Application & Pre-Training Review: Ready to take the first step with Partners in Training Australia? You can enrol and do your pre-training review face-to-face by attending one of their onsite Information Sessions or online via Zoom. Easy peasy!
Equipment: You'll need a trusty laptop or iPad with internet connectivity to complete research, course assessments, and to check your emails from Partners in Training Australia. It is also compulsory to bring your laptop or iPad to class as Partners in Training Australia is transitioning to a more digital approach, reducing reliance on paper-based materials.
Police Check and Working With Children's Check: Safety is a top priority, which is why these checks are needed before you can start your practical placement. Let's make sure everyone feels secure and comfortable.
Potential job titles:
Typical employers of community workers:
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Mental Health Outreach Worker
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Community Rehabilitation and Support Worker
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Community Rehabilitation Worker
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Mental Health Support Worker
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Welfare Support Worke
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Community Support Worker
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Organisations concerned with particular groups (women, travellers, new communities)
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Organisations concerned with issues (unemployment, migrant rights, drugs, poverty)
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Community development groups
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Outreach & homeless facilities, houses, kitchens
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Welfare agencies
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Private businesses
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Adult service units
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Government institutions
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Community Engagement Committees
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Aged Care facilities
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Councils
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Community Corrections Offices
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The Salvation Army
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Community Libraries
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Education Departments
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PCYC
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State Emergency Service (SES)
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Triple Zero Emergency Call-Takers
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Police Academy (This course is not an entry requirement)
Responsibilities
As a mental health worker some tasks you could perform throughout your day can include:
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Assess and talk to patients about their problems
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Discuss the best way to plan and deliver their care
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Build relationships with patients
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Encourage trust, while listening to and interpreting their needs and concerns
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Respond to distressed patients in a nonthreatening manner.
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Attempt to understand the source of their discomfort
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Help patients manage their emotions through deescalation techniques
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Prepare and participate in group and/or one-to-one therapy sessions
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Provide evidence-based individual therapy
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Provide cognitive behaviour therapy for depression and anxiety
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Organise social events aimed at developing patients' social skills
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Prepare and maintain patient records and produce care plans and risk assessments
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Work with patients' families and carers, to help to educate them and the patient about their mental health problems.
Skills and Interests
As a community worker some personal attributes should be
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Strong written and verbal communication skills
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Excellent interpersonal skills to relate effectively with coworkers and patients
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Ability to problem solve and de escalate crisis situations
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Experience with Individual, family, and group therapy practice
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Previous psychiatric care experience
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Ability to work a flexible schedule
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Working knowledge of clinical diagnoses for mental health population
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A non judgemental attitude
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The ability to build trusting relationships -
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Patience and perseverance, for coping with challenges and setbacks
What you'll learn
Throughout your studies, you will discover the knowledge of
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Providing services to people with coexisting mental health and alcohol and other drugs issues
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Provide interventions
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Assess the needs of clients
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Develop and review individual treatment plans
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Work collaboratively with the care network and other services
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Implement trauma informed care
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Provide early intervention, health prevention and promotion programs
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Providing services to people with complex needs
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How to manage client relationships
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Communication techniques to build and maintain relationships
Course Units
To be awarded the CHC53315 Diploma of Mental Health, you must successfully complete the following 20 units of competency:
CHCADV005 Provide systems advocacy services (Core)
CHCDIV001 Work with diverse people (Core)
CHCDIV002 Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety (Core)
CHCMHS002 Establish self-directed recovery relationships (Core)
CHCMHS003 Provide recovery oriented mental health services (Core)
CHCMHS004 Work collaboratively with the care network and other services (Core)
CHCMHS005 Provide services to people with coexisting mental health and alcohol and other drugs issues (Core)
CHCMHS009 Provide early intervention, health prevention and promotion programs (Core)
CHCMHS010 Implement recovery oriented approaches to complexity (Core)
CHCMHS011 Assess and promote social, emotional and physical wellbeing (Core)
CHCMHS012 Provide support to develop wellness plans and advanced directives (Core)
CHCMHS013 Implement trauma informed care (Core)
CHCPOL003 Research and apply evidence to practice (Core)
CHCPRP003 Reflect on and improve own professional practice (Core)
HLTWHS004 Manage work health and safety (Core)
CHCCCS003 Increase the safety of individuals at risk of suicide (Elective)
CHCCCS017 Provide loss and grief support (Elective)
CHCCOM003 Develop workplace communication strategies (Elective)
CHCCSM004 Coordinate complex case requirements (Elective)
CHCDFV006 Counsel clients affected by domestic and family violence (Elective)
Assessment
Assessment is an important part of your learning and is required in order for you to gain a nationally recognised qualification or statement of attainment. Assessment methods may include (but are not limited to):
Knowledge evidence, demonstrations and observations, presentations, projects, role plays, and case studies.
Trainer Support
Partners in Training hand selects their trainers to ensure that they have the vocational competencies, current industry skills and the qualifications/skills to teach and assess adult learners. In each class session, your trainer will draw on their depth of experience to foster and create a fulfilling, engaging and enjoyable learning environment.
Practical Placement Hours
This qualification requires you to hold a current and satisfactory Police Check and Working with Children Check to undertake workplace experience. You are required to undertake a minimum of 160 hours of workplace experience through a relevant community service delivery setting involving, for example, direct client work, community education or community development. Evidence provided by your supervisor during placement contributes to assessment of your ability to work at this level.
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Some examples of where your placement will be undertaken are:
- Community Organisations
- Volunteer Community Organisations
- Health Facilities
- Mental Health Clinics
- Hospitals
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Students may need to undertake travel to their host-placement provider.
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If you are currently working in a relevant community service sector, you may be able to use your workplace to undertake your placement hours, however this will first be subject to approval by Partners In Training Australia prior to commencing placement.
Further Study
This qualification will provide you with a pathway to CHC52015 Diploma of Community Services, CHC53215 Diploma of Alcohol and other Drugs and CHC62015 Advanced Diploma of Community Sector Management.
Working with Children's Check & Police Check
These checks are compulsory to gain in order to commence your work placement. It is recommended that you apply for these a couple of months before you start placement so they are current.
The Working with Children Check assists in protecting children from sexual or physical harm by ensuring that people who work with, or care for them are subject to a screening process. If you are doing or intending to do child-related work and do not qualify for an exemption, you need a Check. Visit me for more information.
Children's Check: Approximately $130
Volunteer Card: Free
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The Victoria Police provides a service to all Victorians who wish to obtain a National Police Certificate for employment, voluntary work and occupation-related licensing or registration purposes. Information about an individual's criminal history will not be released without an applicant's written consent other than for law enforcement purposes. Visit me for more information.
Police Check (Volunteer/Student Placement): Approximately $20
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*Prices are subject to change without warning.
Skills First Funding & Eligibility Criteria
Skills First is a Victorian Government scheme that helps people access subsidised vocational education and training. If you are eligible, the government will contribute to the cost of your course tuition fees.
Eligibility criteria for Skills First government-subsidised training
Citizenship/Residency
You must be:
1. an Australian citizen, or
2. a New Zealand citizen, or
3. a Permanent Resident, or
4. an Asylum Seeker - you are exempt from the citizenship/permanent residence eligibility criteria if:
a) you have been referred to training via the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre or the Australian Red Cross Victims of Human Trafficking Program and have a ‘Referral to Government Subsidised Training – Asylum Seekers’ form; or
b) you hold, or if you are the dependant of an individual who holds a valid humanitarian, protection or refugee visa (see list below); or
- Global Special Humanitarian (subclass 202)
- Humanitarian (Temporary) (subclass 449)
- Protection visa (subclass 866)
- Refugee visa 200 Refugee
- Refugee visa 201 In-country Special Humanitarian
- Refugee visa 203 Emergency Rescue
- Refugee visa 204 Woman at Risk
- Resolution of Status visa (subclass 851)
- Safe Haven Enterprise visa (subclass 790)
- Temporary Humanitarian Concern (subclass 786)
- Temporary Protection visa (subclass 785)
c) you hold a bridging visa and have lodged an application for (or if you are the dependant of that individual):
- a humanitarian, protection or refugee visa; or
- under s.417 or s.48b of the Migration Act 1958 (Cth) which is yet to be determined
and the visa states that the visa holder
d) has study rights, and work rights if the course you are enrolling in has placement.
Note: the above list of Visa’s is a general but incomplete list of refugee and humanitarian visas. If you’re unsure about your visa type, you need to contact the Department of Home Affairs.
VIC Government funding eligibility rules – what’s changed?
1. Your prior education is no longer taken into consideration!
Now you can enrol and study any qualification at Partners in Training Australia with government funding, regardless of what level of education you’ve completed in the past. This applies to all students who meet the citizenship/ residency requirements.
Prior to this change, you had to ‘upskill’ to get government funding.. but now you don’t.
2. Removal of ‘2 at level in a lifetime’ limit!
You can study more than 2 courses that are at the same qualification level with government funding! Prior to 1 January 2023, you could only study 2 of the same level qualifications with government funding in your lifetime.. but now you don’t.
3. What hasn’t changed?
You can still only be studying no more than 2 government funded qualifications at any one point in time. This is known as the ‘2 in a year’ limit.
Course Fees & Payment Plans
If you are eligible for Skills First Funding your fees are: $100 Admin Fee (upfront and non- refundable) + a $200 Tuition Fee.
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students pay the $100 Admin Fee (upfront and non- refundable) + $0 Tuition Fee.
Payment Plans: Skills First funded students can access a payment plan if they cannot pay the Tuition Fee in full at the time of enrolment or by Day 1 of the course. Payment plans are available for the Tuition Fee via fortnightly payments of a minimum of $35 until your Tuition Fee is paid in full.
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students are not eligible for a payment plan but must pay their Tuition Fee at the time of enrolment or by Day 1 of the course.
If you are not eligible for Victorian government funding, you can still undertake the course as a Fee For Service student. Students in this category automatically go onto a payment plan to pay off their Tuition Fees (31 fortnightly payments of $205, plus a final instalment of $145).
Course fees: $100 Admin Fee (upfront and non-refundable) + $6,500 Tuition Fee
Centrelink
Please note that some Centrelink Payments may be affected by undertaking study. We strongly advise you speak to your Centrelink Coordinator to see if you are affected. Fresh Futures Australia accepts no responsibility or liability for affected payments.
Meet your Registered Training Organisation (RTO)
Partners in Training Australia is an ASQA registered vocational training organisation that has been providing high-quality education to students across Australia for over 16 years. They have campuses in Shepparton and Sale and train students from all over Melbourne and Regional Victoria as well in interstate as they offer courses via blended learning and/or classroom based training.
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They have a Victorian Skills First funding contract with the Department of Education which means they can offer eligible students low-cost tuition fees. Their flexible course training modes means that you can balance studying with the demands of your work, family and social life.
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Partners in Training Australia have industry expertise in the Community Services and Health Care sectors, which includes; Nursing, Aged Care, Disability, Leisure and Health, Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drugs, Education Support and Early Childhood Education.
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Their Trainers & Assessors have ongoing professional links with the industry sectors they train, which means they know what industry expects from job-ready graduates of this nationally recognised Diploma of Mental Health qualification. The course curriculum is mapped to real-life job requirements so that you get the skills and knowledge to hit the ground running when the time comes to apply for employment and/or pursue further educational pathways.
Enrolment Process
1. Fill out our Student Questionnaire
The Student Questionnaire is designed for me to get to know you a little better before I pass your details over to the RTO conducting the course. This doesn't guarantee your acceptance into the course nor does it form part of the enrolment with Partners In Training Australia.
2. Speak to one of our Student Liaison Coordinators
Once you have completed your Student Questionnaire, one of our Student Liaison Coordinators will give you a courtesy call to:
- Further discuss your eligibility.
- Ensure you have read over the study details.
- Speak further about your career goals and suitability for the course.
- Give you additional information and answer any further questions you may have.
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If you decide that you would like to proceed with the application process after speaking with one of our Student Liaison Coordinators then we will invite you to an Information Session.
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3. Information Session
This Information Session is your opportunity to speak to Partners in Training Australia’s friendly team and listen to valuable information about the course, complete your application form and enrol. To complete the enrolment forms, you will need the following:
- Unique Student Identifier (USI) - Create your USI here.
- Victorian Student Number (VSN) - Only required for students who have attended a Victorian school since 2009
- Evidence of Citizenship/Residency and Age such as Drivers Licence and Medicare Card.
Please have these documents with you during the information session. Completion of the Enrolment Application Form does not guarantee enrolment. A Partners in Training authorised delegate will review your form and determine the progression of enrolment.
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What will be covered
- General information about Partners in Training, industry areas and delivery locations
- Vocational Education & Training, learning pathways, course choice and industry based trainers
- Student Support
- Entry requirements, LLN Quiz, funding eligibility
- Course details, expected hours of study, student handbook, refund policy
- Practical placement (WWCC & Police Records Check)
- Fees and payment options
- The enrolment session – you can enrol on the day
- Your suitability for the course
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4. First day of class
Please note that the Information Session is compulsory for you to complete before your first day of class. If you miss your Information Session this may delay your course commencement date. All of your First Day details will be confirmed during the Information Session and reminders will be emailed and SMS to you.
In an effort to keep classes commencing on time, we need a little help from you. If you choose to submit your Student Questionnaire, we at Fresh Futures Australia take that as a sign you'd like to continue along the path of enrolment. If you are a little unsure then please ask away by filling the form at the bottom of the page with any further questions you may have.
In order for classes to commence, we need 15+ students. This allows a healthy classroom environment for everyone. If we are trying to give you a call and you see a missed call, voicemail or text message from us or the RTO please be courteous and give us a callback, even if it's just a notification that you are no longer interested. Our feelings won't be hurt.
We look forward to receiving your Student Questionnaire and speaking to you further about your career path.