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Support Groups

Diploma of Mental Health
CHC53315

Training provided by Stirling Institute of Australia, RTO 21132.

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.

This nationally recognised qualification includes placement. During your work placement, you will find a role within a community services environment and work with an approved supervisor to gain real-life skills that could help you step directly into the workforce.

Course Essentials

Course Essentials

Qualification Code: CHC53315

Qualification Code: Diploma of Mental Health


Recognition: Nationally recognised - meets Australian Qualifications Framework


Study mode: Classroom-based

Class time: 9.30am to 4.30pm


Duration: From 12 months. Depending on the month/intake, the course typically consists of 46 tuition weeks, excluding holidays and placement.


Assessment: Knowledge evidence, direct demonstration and observation, portfolios, projects, role plays, case studies and presentations.


Practical Placement Hours: 160 hours (Minimum)


Funded Admin Fee: $0


Funded Tuition Fee: $100

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Throughout your studies, you will be required to complete your research, assessments as well as accessing your emails using a desktop/laptop/mobile device with internet availability.

Requirements

Education: There are no formal education entry requirements for this course.

Minimum Age: You will need to be at least 18 years old.

Language, Literacy and Numeracy: Stirling Institute of 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: Get started by attending a face to face Information Session or completing the process online.

Equipment: Throughout your studies, you will be required to complete your research and assessments as well as accessing your emails using a desktop/laptop with internet availability.

Police Check & Working With Children's Check: This qualification requires you to hold current and satisfactory checks in order for you to undertake practical placement hours.

Requirements

Potential job titles:

Typical employers of community workers:

  • Mental Health Outreach Worker

  • Community Rehabilitation and Support Worker

  • Community Rehabilitation Worker

  • Mental Health Support Worker

  • Welfare Support Worker

  • Community Support Worker

  • Organisations concerned with particular groups (women, travellers,
    new communities)

  • Organisations concerned with issues (unemployment, migrant
    rights, drugs, poverty)

  • Community development groups

  • Outreach & homeless facilities, houses, kitchens

  • Welfare agencies

  • Private businesses

  • Adult service units

  • Community Engagement Committees

  • Community Corrections Offices

  • The Salvation Army

  • Education Departments

  • Triple Zero Emergency Call-Takers

  • 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:

  • Assess and talk to patients about their problems.

  • Discuss the best way to plan and deliver their care.

  • Build relationships with patients.

  • Encourage trust, while listening to and interpreting their needs and concerns.

  • Respond to distressed patients in a non­ threatening manner.

  • Attempt to understand the source of their discomfort.

  • Help patients manage their emotions through de­ escalation techniques.

  • Prepare and participate in group and/or one-­ to-­ one therapy sessions.

  • Provide evidence­ -based individual therapy.

  • Provide cognitive behaviour therapy for depression and anxiety.

  • Organise social events aimed at developing patients' social skills.

  • Prepare and maintain patient records and produce care plans and risk assessments.

  • Work with patients' families and carers, to help to educate them and the patient about their mental health problems.

Skills and Interests

Skills and Interests

As a community worker some personal attributes should be:

  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.

  • Excellent interpersonal skills to relate effectively with co­ workers and patients.

  • Ability to problem solve and de­ escalate crisis situations.

  • Experience with Individual, family, and group therapy practice.

  • Previous psychiatric care experience.

  • Ability to work a flexible schedule.

  • Working knowledge of clinical diagnoses for mental health population.

  • A non judgemental attitude.

  • The ability to build trusting relationships.

  • Patience and perseverance, for coping with challenges and setbacks.

What you'll learn

Throughout your studies, you will discover the knowledge of:

  • Providing services to people with co­ existing mental health and alcohol and other drugs issues.

  • Provide interventions.

  • Assess the needs of clients.

  • Develop and review individual treatment plans.

  • Work collaboratively with the care network and other services.

  • Implement trauma informed care.

  • Provide early intervention, health prevention and promotion programs.

  • Providing services to people with complex needs.

  • How to manage client relationships.

  • Communication techniques to build and maintain relationships.

Course Units

Course Units

To successfully complete CHC53315 Diploma of Mental Health you must complete the following units of competency.

HLTWHS004 Manage work health and safety (Core)

CHCDIV001 Work with diverse people (Core)
CHCDIV002 Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety (Core)
CHCPOL003 Research and apply evidence to practice (Core)
CHCPRP003 Reflect on and improve own professional practice (Core)
CHCMGT001 Develop, implement and review quality framework (Core)
CHCMHS004 Work collaboratively with the care network and other services (Core)
CHCMGT002 Manage partnership agreements with services providers (Electives)
CHCCSM004 Coordinate complex case requirements (Electives)
CHCAOD004 Assess needs of clients with alcohol and other drugs issues (Electives)
CHCMHS005 Provide services to people with co-existing mental health and alcohol and other drugs issues (Core)
CHCMHS009 Provide early intervention, health prevention and promotion programs (Core)
CHCADV005 Provide systems advocacy services (Core)
CHCMHS013 Implement trauma informed care (Core)
CHCMHS003 Provide recovery oriented mental health services (Core)
CHCMHS011 Assess and promote social, emotional and physical wellbeing (Core)
CHCMHS012 Provide support to develop wellness plans and advanced directives (Core)
CHCMHS002 Establish self-directed recovery relationships (Core)
CHCMHS010 Implement recovery oriented approaches to complexity (Core)
CHCDFV006 Counsel clients affected by domestic and family violence (Electives)

Assessment

Unlocking your potential has never been more thrilling! Assessment is a crucial element in your learning journey, paving the way to a nationally recognised qualification or a statement of attainment. Get ready to showcase your skills and knowledge through dynamic methods such as captivating presentations, hands-on demonstrations, immersive role plays, and engaging case studies. You'll be immersed in a world of active learning, where your progress will be celebrated at every step. Your learning experience will be an exhilarating adventure, propelling you towards achieving your educational goals with confidence!

Trainer Support

At Stirling Institute of Australia, they take pride in their top-notch trainers! They're hand-picked for their vocational competencies, industry expertise, and teaching skills. In every class session, your trainer will leverage their wealth of experience to foster a dynamic, fulfilling, and engaging learning environment. With their passion for teaching, you'll be guided towards success by a dedicated partner who is committed to making your learning journey truly enjoyable. Get ready to thrive under their guidance and unlock your full potential!

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 work placement for new entrants or a third-party report for existing industry workers in a relevant community service delivery setting involving, for example, direct client work, community education or community development.

Some examples of where your placement will be undertaken are:

  • Community Organisations

  • Volunteer Community Organisations

  • Health Facilities

  • Mental Health Clinics

  • Hospitals

 

Please note in some cases travelling may be required.

If you are currently working in the sector, your workplace may be used to undertake your practical placement hours, however, is subject to approval by the RTO.

Further Study

This qualification will provide you with a pathway to the Bachelor of Community Mental Health, Alcohol And Other Drugs. Although it does not guarantee an employment outcome, completion of this qualification could lead to your employment in the community services and mental health industry.

Working With Children's Check and Police Check

These checks are compulsory to gain in order to commence your work placement. It is recommended that you start to apply for these closer to your work placement commencement so they are relevant.

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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: $131.60
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 (Name Only): Standard fee of $86.50. Reduced fee for a volunteer is at $29.40

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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.

You can still only be studying no more than 2 government funded qualifications at any one point in time.

Course Fees

Course Fees & Payment Plans

If you are eligible for Government Funding your fees are: $0 Admin Fee + $0 Tuition Fee

If you do not meet the Eligibility Criteria you can still undertake the course as a Fee For Service Student, your fees is: $10,400.

Payment plans are available to Full Fee Paying Students. Stirling Institute of Australia will not accept more than $1,500 prepaid fees in advance.

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)

Stirling Institute of Australia is a Registered Training Organisation specialising in Horticulture, Allied Health, Community Services, Mental Health, Early Childhood, Clinical Hypnotherapy, Individual Support, Ageing Support and Disability.
Stirling Institute of Australia is a dynamic and innovative Registered Training Organisation with a clear and definitive emphasis on the practical side of training. They believe the best way to learn is to experience. Stirling has a proven track record with regards to the completion rates and employment outcomes of its students, and has quickly become one of the most popular and reputable registered training organisations in Victoria.

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 RTO nor is it a part of the enrolment paperwork.

 

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.


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 Stirling Institute of Australia's friendly team and listen to valuable information about the course, complete your application forms and enrol. 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.  

To complete the enrolment forms, you will need the following:

1. Unique Student Identifier (USI) - Create your USI here.
2. Victorian Student Number (VSN) - Only required for students who have attended a Victorian school since 2009.
3. Evidence of Citizenship/Residency and Age such as Driver's Licence and Medicare Card.

Please have these documents with you during the enrolment session. A Stirling Institute of Australia Authorised Delegate will review your form and determine the progression of enrolment.
 

What will be covered:

  • General information about Stirling Institute of Australia, industry areas and delivery locations.

  • Vocational Education & Training, learning pathways, course choice and industry-based trainer.

  • Student Support.

  • Entry requirements, LLN Quiz, funding eligibility.

  • Course details, expected hours of study, student handbook, refund policy.

  • Practical placement (Police Records Check).

  • Fees and payment options.

  • Your suitability for the course.

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4. First Day of Class

On your first day of class, you’ll be introduced to the course, including an overview of the curriculum, schedule, and expectations. You’ll meet your trainer, familiarise yourself with the classroom environment, and complete any necessary administrative tasks. There will also be time to ask questions and address any concerns to ensure you feel prepared and confident as you begin your learning journey. Make sure to arrive on time and bring any required materials as outlined in your welcome email.​​

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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 still a little unsure then please reach back out to myself so we can discuss 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.

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