Program at a glance
Credential
Post-Degree Diploma
Work experience
Clinical/fieldwork placement
Delivery
Blended
Study options
Full-time
Part-time
Open to International
No
Area of study
Length
10 months
Info sessions
Advance your knowledge and skills
Students participate in dynamic and applied learning experiences that emphasize assessment, counselling skills and recovery-based interventions to support individuals and families facing mental health and substance use challenges.
The Interprofessional Mental Health and Addictions Post-Degree (IMHA) diploma will provide students with advanced knowledge and skills to work collaboratively with people affected by mental health and/or addiction/substance use challenges. Students will gain the necessary knowledge, theoretical frameworks, assessment skills, and counselling interventions to help individuals and their families navigate recovery from mental health and addiction challenges. There is a strong emphasis on applied learning and students will gain skills in motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy, and stage-wise case-management.
- Applied learning:Equip yourself with hands-on lab skills training for practical application of knowledge, assessment and counselling skills.
- 240 hour Practicum arranged by our Practicum Coordinator
- Holistic approach:Gain a comprehensive understanding of psychosocial practices with a focus on holistic, culturally informed, and multi-perspective viewpoints.
- Preparation for real-world practice:Be mentored for working within interprofessional teams to support psychosocial practice in community and tertiary mental health and substance use settings.
- Interdisciplinary learning:Enhance your professional toolkit through critical engagement with diverse perspectives and methodologies. Experience a collaborative atmosphere with students from diverse backgrounds.
- Contextualized education:Study mental health and addictions within the Canadian context, addressing real-world challenges.
- Expert Instructors:Learn from experienced instructors committed to your success in this evolving field.
Blended delivery full or part-time options
Using a combination of online and seminar class styles, this graduate level program offers a variety of opportunities to apply skills and knowledge forfurther career advancementin the area of mental health and addictions.
Who are our students?
You’ll study with students from a variety of disciplines:
- BA graduatewith psychology, social work, child and youth care, education, and nursing and other BA degrees.
- Professionals seeking advanced skills and knowledge.
Graduate opportunities
- Dz⳾Գ:Our program aligns with industry needs and offers ample job prospects. Diverse settings include residential programs, treatment centres, community agencies, assertive community teams, mental health clinics, and hospital environments.
- Education: Prepares graduates for pathways to Master-level programs in community and health studies.
Career options
Our students are recognized for theirspecialized trainingenabling them to work with interprofessional teams addressing the complex needs of individuals and families with mental health and addiction challenges. IMHA graduates are working indiverse settingssuch as group homes, treatment centres, community agencies, assertive community teams and hospitals.
Next offering
The program starts in September. The practicum component will include 30 hours per week at a practice site plus seminar and online learning time. You’ll attend approximatelyfifteen mandatory face-to-face seminarscombined with online learning at the college over the year.
This program is available throughdistance deliveryacross Canada. Consult theProgram Leaderfor more information.
Indigenous priority admissions
For a limited time each year, һԹ offers priority seating for qualifiedIndigenous students inallHealth Sciences and Human Services programs.
TheIndigenous Limited Priority һԹprocess is approved by the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal.
How to apply for anIndigenous priority seat.
What you'll learn
Current students wanting information about your program, go to student planning in.
Program outline
For more details, including courses, please see the program outline in the academic calendar.
Applied learning
The Interprofessional Mental Health and Addictions program is a comprehensive and challenging program, condensed into 10 months of study, to prepare you for work in the field of mental health and addictions.
What to expect
This program is a blended delivery with online coursework and on-campus bi-weekly labs and seminars. Students who do not live on Vancouver Island have options to participate synchronously online depending on location and learning activities. Please contact the Program Leader for more details.
The eight-week practicum is 36 hours a week. This includes 24 hours at a practice site and remainder of time in seminar and online learning.
IMHA program handbooks
Find current student information in theSchool of Health Sciences and Human ServicesԻ IMHA programԻǴǰ.
Tuition and fees
Effective from September 1, 2024, to August 31, 2025
Estimated tuition
Tuition estimates are for the entire program.
Interprofessional Mental Health and Addictions, Post-Degree Diploma
$7406 (domestic)
Domestic tuition fees vary depending on the individual course fees for the classes you select.
For International students visit: International Tuition & Fees.
Student fees
In addition to tuition estimates, student fees are calculated based on your enrolment. Refer to:Student Fees.
Financial assistance
You may need to find more than one source of funding to help pay for your education and living costs while attending college. Check out sources of money you don't need to pay back as well as those that need to be repaid.
Application deadline
Accepting applications until May 30.
Admission requirements
All of:
When you apply you will need to submit proof that you meet the program admission requirements listed above. Where a letter grade is specified, you must have proof of that grade or higher.
For more details, including courses, please see the program outline in the Academic Calendar: Loading...
Ready to get started?
Please email your Resume and Statement of Intention to the Program Leader.
Check our current program availability.
Missing admission requirements?
You may be able to take an assessment or upgrade with us.
Need help applying?
Find out more on How to Apply or speak to an һԹ Advisor.
Contact us
If you have admissions questions contact us today!
If you have questions about what you can expect to learn in your Health Sciences and Human Services classes contacthhsinfo@camosun.ca
Faculty/staff profile
Chair of CFCS Department, Program Leader, and Instructor
Faculty/staff profile
Program Leader, Interprofessional Mental Health and Addictions (IMHA)
Faculty/staff profile
Jody Watson
Instructor and Program Leader, MHA
watsonj@camosun.ca
250-370-4297
Alex & Jo Campbell Centre for Health and Wellness (CHW)
Faculty/staff profile
Instructor
After graduating from the University of Victoria in Child and Youth Care (1987), Kristin developed and managed the Child Life Program at Lethbridge Regional Hospital, addressing the psycho-emotional needs of children and families. She moved to the Mental Health Program and worked with adolescents and adults in the inpatient and outpatient programs, including leading groups in stress management, wellness promotion, and family mental health education. During this time, Kristin earned her Master of Arts in Administration and Curriculum (Education) from Gonzaga University (1998).
Kristin began her post-secondary teaching career in 1992 at Lethbridge College in the Child & Youth Care Diploma then joined һԹ in 2004 to develop and teach the first offering of the Mental Health and Addiction (MHA) Program. In 2007, she helped develop and continues teaching in the Interprofessional Mental Health & Addiction (IMHA) graduate diploma. The MHA and IMHA Programs at һԹ have evolved over the years to their current blended delivery model. Most recently, Kristin contributed to the development of Camosun’s Advanced Certificate in Mental Health, Addictions, and Criminal Justice. As an early adopter of educational technology, she recently completed a Graduate Certificate in Technology-Based Online Learning from UBC to support unique and engaging learning opportunities for students. Kristin has continuously worked to improve program delivery to incorporate a variety of teaching strategies to enhance the student learning experience both on-campus and in web-based environments.
In addition to mental health and addiction coursework, Kristin has been an instructor for other post-secondary programs including theChild, Family and Community Studies (CFCS) diploma andother post-secondary programs including Family Studies, Therapeutic Recreation, Early Childhood Education, and Special Needs Educational Assistant. She has been a trainer of Nonviolent Crisis Intervention for over 20 years.
Kristin's other academic interests include play and expressive therapies, mental health education for youth and families, and course development with learning technologies in a blended environment. In her personal time, Kristin enjoys fly-fishing, hiking, script-writing, and playing the saxophone.
Faculty/staff profile
Practicum Coordinator
Faculty/staff profile
Sheryl Haynes
Instructor, Practicum Coordinator
hayness@camosun.ca
250-370-4296
Alex & Jo Campbell Centre for Health and Wellness
Learn more
For more details, including courses, please see the program outline in the academic calendar.
Contact information
School of Health Sciences and Human Services
Campus location
Centre for Health and Wellness building (CHW), room 207
Location link
If you have admissions questions please contact һԹ.