Course Overview:

This course delivers an in-depth study of mental health and addiction support strategies within British Columbia’s social service landscape. Students will engage in case studies, role-plays, and interactive workshops to master trauma-informed care, recovery planning, and stigma reduction techniques. The curriculum covers diagnostic indicators, treatment approaches, and client empowerment, equipping learners to address complex needs in community settings. Expert-led sessions will provide insights into current trends, ensuring students are prepared to deliver effective, evidence-based support across varied client demographics.

Prerequisite:

  • The students must have completed grade 12 or equivalent education, or mature student status (19 years or older).
  • Applicants must submit a written statement outlining their motivation, relevant experience, and career goals. An admissions interview may also be required to assess communication skills, professional awareness, and readiness for both academic study and practicum learning.
  • Because the program includes placements with vulnerable populations, applicants must provide a clear Criminal Record Check. Some sites may also require proof of immunizations, first aid certification, or other documentation to ensure safety and readiness for practicum participation.
  • All applicants must meet one of the following Language Proficiency Requirements (LPR):
    • Completion of 2 years of secondary education (including English 10 and 11 with a grade of ‘C’ or higher) from a country where English is one of the principal languages, or
    • Completion of 2 years of full-time post-secondary education at an accredited institution where English is the language of instruction, or
    • To meet BC Health Care Assistant English Competency Standards, students from non-English speaking countries must have completed grade 12 or equivalent education and provide verified results for one of the English Language Proficiency tests with minimum scores listed below:
      • IELTS: overall score of 6.0, with a minimum of 6 in Speaking/Listening, and not below 5.5 in Reading/Writing.
      • CAEL: overall score of 60, with no section below 50.
      • TOEFL iBT: minimum 76 overall, with no sub-scores lower than 20 (Speaking/Listening) and 18 (Reading/Writing), or
      • Another accredited equivalent score.
  • Mature Student Applicants
    Applicants who are 19 years of age or older at the start of the program, are Canadian citizens or permanent residents, and are unable to provide official secondary or post-secondary education records may demonstrate English proficiency by:
    • Submitting a signed attestation confirming they have completed at least three years of full-time education in English in a country where English is one of the primary languages and
    • Completing the Accuplacer English Assessment (Next Generation: Reading, Writing, and WritePlacer) with the following minimum scores:
      • Reading: 235
      • Writing: 235
      • WritePlacer: 4

Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this course, the students will be able to:

  • Recognize and describe signs that may indicate mental health or addiction challenges and identify when culturally safe referral to qualified clinical professionals is required, recognizing how colonial systems influence access to care.
  • Collaborate in developing trauma-informed and decolonizing support approaches that respect Indigenous healing traditions, community strengths, and culturally grounded practices across diverse settings.
  • Apply recovery-oriented and culturally grounded principles in case studies, emphasizing strengths-based, community-led, and non-clinical support pathways.
  • Identify, explain, and deconstruct how cultural stigma—particularly in South Asian, Indigenous, and other racialized communities—is shaped by colonial histories, structural racism, and intergenerational trauma.
  • Facilitate supportive, non-clinical client interactions in simulations using communication practices rooted in cultural humility, relational accountability, and decolonizing values.

Course Content & Topics:

Credit Information:

  • Credits: 3

Duration:

  • 14 Weeks: 3 hrs/week

Course & Related Fees:

  • Domestic & International: $700 (Seven hundred dollars)

For a detailed breakdown, please refer to Policy #S-005 Programs & Course Fee Schedule

Non-Refundable Fees:

  • Application Fee: $50.00/course (payable online and non-refundable)