Certificate in Applied Mental Health - AUT University

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Note: This programme replaces the NATIONAL CERTIFICATE IN MENTAL HEALTH (MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT WORK) from 2008.

The Certificate in Applied Mental Health provides vocational training for people who intend to work as mental health support workers. It is ideal for adults with work and life experience but little formal education in mental health.

Certificate level education in Mental Health Support Work is considered the basic requirement for employment as a mental health support worker.

Programme Code: AK1022
Level: 4
Points: 120
Duration: One year full time / Two years part time
Venue: North Shore Campus
Starting date: 3 March 2008
Application deadline: 01 December 2007, late applications 20 January 2008

AUT encourages early application.
Late applications will be accepted if the programme is not full.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

• Open entry or completion of Year 11
• Interview
• Police clearance

ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

Applicants for whom English or Māori is not their first language are required to provide proof of an acceptable pass/grade gained in an accepted English language test.

THE KEY SKILLS YOU WILL ACQUIRE

Students will develop their capability to foster the ability of people with mental illness to live fully integrated and participating lives within the community by studying the following themes:

• Self awareness, interpersonal skills and ability to develop relationships to foster empowerment
• Knowledge of community resources, attitudes and encouraging participation in the community
• Knowledge of mental health, mental illness, mental health service delivery and legislation, regulations and policies
• Historical, social and political context of supporting people with mental illness in Aotearoa/New Zealand, including responsibilities related to Te Tiriti O Waitangi
• Being an effective member of the mental health support team working with the clinical team
• Fostering the development of natural supports through family/whanau/friend networks
• Developing and working with plans to foster healthy progressive living and minimise episodes of mental illness
• Skills to be a team member when supporting people with behaviour considered unacceptable and challenging, and preventing serious incident or supporting all concerned should a serious incident occur
• Developing the habits of safe, effective, ethical and reflective practice
• Dual diagnosis - mental illness and alcohol and other drug abuse.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

• Mental health support work
• Community mental health
• Non-governmental mental health sector
• Cultural specific mental health services
• Consumer mental health services

FURTHER STUDIES

Diploma in Mental Health Support Work
Bachelor of Health Science

PAPERS

SEMESTER ONE
564101 Attitudes, Values and Skills for Mental Health Support Work
564102 Knowledge and Skills Development I

SEMESTER TWO
564103 Integrative Mental Health Support Work
564104 Knowledge and Skills Development II