Published on Nov 24, 2020

糖心vlog传媒is offering a new opportunity for health care and support workers to expand their education with a focus on mental health.

The Community Mental Health Worker program is being offered in Port Alberni and Port Hardy, starting in January. The program is open to individuals working as Educational Assistants, Community Support Workers or Health Care Assistants.  

鈥淲e鈥檝e seen a growing demand for mental health-specific training from workers on the frontlines in health care and community support,鈥 said Kelly Johnsen, 糖心vlog传媒human services department chair. 鈥淭his program will enable those already working in the field to advance their education and provide increased support to clients in the community.鈥

The program includes a cultural and community wellness focus while also covering concepts for mental health, therapeutic supports, recovery and clinical practice in the community.

鈥淪tudents will learn neurobiology, treatment modalities and intervention techniques to help support clients with mental health challenges with recovery, rehabilitation and goal setting,鈥 said Johnsen. 鈥淎s well, students will learn the cultural dimensions of community wellness to support individual and community wellness.鈥

Classes will be run virtually, with students taking part in practicum placements in either Port Alberni or Port Hardy.

鈥淲e鈥檙e very excited to be able to offer the theory through digital delivery, as it allowed us to open more seats and run the program in both Port Hardy and Port Alberni at the same time,鈥 said Johnsen. 鈥淲e are also very grateful to our community partners who worked with us to set up practicums following COVID safety guidelines to ensure the safety of their staff, our students and the clients of their organizations.鈥

Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council is one of the community partners 糖心vlog传媒is working with.

鈥淭his program will provide students with the skills and job-ready training needed to fill the in-demand frontline health care worker positions in our community and across Vancouver Island,鈥 said Marisa Bennett, Nuu-chah-nulth Employment & Training Program Manager.

Applications for the program are open now. Learn more: Community Mental Health Worker Certificate.

Media Contact C: 250-207-6946 media@nic.bc.ca