Health & Community Studies

Mental Health & Wellness

NOC-4212

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Program Description

Are you interested in helping and supporting others? SIIT’s Mental Health and Wellness program is suited for those who wish to help people achieve wellness and value the work of healing.

The Mental Health and Wellness Diploma program is a full time program delivered at SIIT’s Saskatoon, Regina, and Prince Albert Campuses, and select community locations. In classroom, counselling lab, professional mentoring and coaching sessions, and practicum settings, you will learn and apply Indigenous and Western-based holistic approaches to healing and addictions counselling. The program utilizes a lifespan approach that includes youth, adults and older adults.

Addiction and recovery models will be examined as a process for working with self, clients and communities. The first year of this program focuses on internal work, becoming familiar with your role as a mental health worker, and developing skills in professional practice and healing work. In the second year of the program, skills are refined in the practice of counselling. This approach helps students to develop professionally and enhances one’s sense of self. The work that it takes students to achieve this level of awareness may be challenging, however, the environment of community and healing created in this program supports students to excel as professionals in the their chosen field. Students are expected to maintain a positive and healthy lifestyle.

Graduates can expect to work as social and community service workers (NOC 4212) in social service and government agencies, mental health agencies, group homes, shelters, substance abuse centres, school boards, correctional facilities and other establishments. Most employers require criminal record and vulnerable sector checks.

Admission Requirements

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Completed one of the following: any regular Grade 12, Adult 12, or GED.
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Application Requirement

Must submit two character reference forms that indicate the applicant has refrained from the use of drugs and alcohol for at least one-year prior to the program start date.
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Non-Academic Requirement

Students in the program are expected to maintain a positive and healthy lifestyle and be professionally strong in the field.

Acceptance Policy

Strong preference is given to applicants who are Status First Nations, but SIIT programs are open to anyone.

English Language Benchmark

SIIT is not currently legislated to accept International Students. You must be a Canadian/ Permanent Resident to apply.

To be admitted into this program you must be able to understand and communicate in English (Canadian Language Benchmark Assessment of six – CLB6).

Courses

Year One
  • ENGL 100 – Writing for Academic Success
  • MHPP 110 – Mental Health & Wellness Professional Practice
  • INST 201 – Introduction to Indigenous Studies
  • IPCF 105 – Interpersonal Communication & Facilitation
  • MHDA 110 – Dynamics of Addictions & Recovery
  • MHFP 116 – Field Placement I
  • MHIF 120 – Therapeutic Interventions for Families
  • MHWP 120 – Pharmacology
  • MHIM 120 – Indigenous Models of Healing & Practice
  • PSYC 110 – Introduction to Psychology
  • MHCA 120 – Case Management & Assessment
  • MHYA 120 – Complexity of Youth Addiction
  • MHFP 126 – Field Placement II
Year Two
  • MHCP 215 – Indigenous Care Practices
  • MHCT 215 – Counselling Theories I
  • MHEL 215 – Ethics and Legalities for Mental Health & Wellness
  • MHGL 215 – Grief and Loss
  • MHHD 215 – Human Growth & Development
  • MHPM 215 – Professional Practices
  • MHFP 215 – Field Placement III
  • MHCD 225 – Concurrent Disorders
  • MHCT 225 – Counselling Theories II
  • MHDV 225 – Domestic Violence, Abuse & Trauma
  • MHEB 225 – Emotional and Behavioural Issues
  • MHRL 225 – Recreation, Leisure & Wellness
  • MHFP 225 – Field Placement IV

Winter 2025 - Mental Health & Wellness Year 2 - Saskatoon

Program Length: 9 months
Start Date: 01/02/2025
Division: Health and Community Studies
Campus: Saskatoon
Location: Saskatoon - Mental Health & Wellness - Year 2
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SIIT is a First Nation Governed, credit granting post-secondary institution

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90% Indigenous student body

Over $350,000 in Awards are available to SIIT students every year

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Programs are offered at 3 campuses and over 35 community learning sites per year

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JobSeries provides foundational, in-community pre-employment training

More than 65% of SIIT Staff and Faculty are Indigenous

JobConnections mobile career services are available for rural communities

More than 60,000 Alumni

Tuition and Fees

Year One
Tuition Textbook Compulsory
Fees
Total*
$5,183.00 $1,680.00 $687.00 $8,678.00
Please note: All tuition and fees are subject to change.
*Compulsory fees may include: student fees, field trip and/or practicum fees, laboratory fees, apprenticeship fees, PPE & other equipment, exam fees, online fees, consumables, safety and first aid training, and tools.
*Total amount does not include the required UPass Transit Bus Pass for Saskatoon & Regina students.
Year Two
Tuition Textbook Compulsory
Fees
Total*
$6,529.00 $1,300.00 $687.00 $8,794.00
Please note: All tuition and fees are subject to change.
*Compulsory fees may include: student fees, field trip and/or practicum fees, laboratory fees, apprenticeship fees, PPE & other equipment, exam fees, online fees, consumables, safety and first aid training, and tools.
*Total amount does not include the required UPass Transit Bus Pass for Saskatoon & Regina students.
Additional Fees- U-Pass - Saskatoon and Regina Transit Bus Passes
UPass
$278.00 per year The U-Pass is a City Transit bus pass for students that allow you to save on transportation costs. The U-Pass fee is provided at a reduced cost compared to a standard monthly City Transit pass and is mandatory for most SIIT students in Saskatoon and Regina. You may use the U-Pass as many times as you would like during the academic term. Students who meet certain requirements can opt-out of the U-Pass. Please contact the Admissions department for more information.
Please note: U-Pass fees are subject to change.
Funding

Depending on your status, different forms of financial assistance are available to you. Please click here to explore options for funding. If you require assistance finding funding, please contact supportservices@siit.ca.

What to Expect

Day to Day

Delivery Method
  • Primarily in-class instruction, Monday to Friday, 6 hours per day.
  • 5-10 hours per week of independent (homework learning) and group learning.
  • Significant time for hands-on learning through counselling labs.
Work Integrated Learning

Students in the Mental Health and Wellness Program have the opportunity to complete several practicums. You must provide a current criminal record and vulnerable sector check to participate.

Attendance Policy

Regular attendance is essential for academic success. Each program has specific attendance requirements that must be adhered to in order to graduate.

If you have been approved for funding, you must maintain the attendance required by your sponsoring agency to remain eligible to receive payment.

Graduation Requirements and Credential

You must maintain a GPA of 60% to graduate. Graduates will receive a Mental Health and Wellness Diploma and an SIIT Transcript.

Additional Licensing Required for Employment

Social service workers may be required to be a member of a provincial regulatory body in some provinces.

Career Path

Career Opportunities & Salaries

Graduates of this program can find employment as social and community service workers (NOC 4212).

Social and community service workers administer and implement a variety of social assistance programs and community services, and assist clients to deal with personal and social problems. They are employed by social service and government agencies, mental health agencies, group homes, shelters, substance abuse centres, school boards, correctional facilities and other establishments.

Progression to professional occupations in social services, such as family and marriage counsellors, social workers, and probation and parole officers, is possible with additional training and experience.

In Saskatchewan, graduates of the Mental Health and Wellness program are in high demand. The average annual salary for social and community service workers is $46,400. (https://www.saskatchewan.ca/business/hire-train-and-manage-employees/labour-market-information)

For assistance finding employment, please contact your local SIIT Career Centre.

Additional Post-Secondary Opportunities & Credit Transfer

To explore further education at SIIT, click here. You can also explore diploma or degree options at other colleges or universities.

If you have a specific program or career path in mind, it is a good idea to check the prerequisites required. Our Academic Advisors can help you plan for further education.

Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies

Head Office
Suite 100-103A Packham Avenue
Asimakaniseekan Askiy Reserve
Saskatoon, SK S7N 4K4
306-244-4444