Health & Community Studies

Mental Health & Wellness

NOC-4212

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 the classroom, counselling lab, and field placement settings, students will learn and apply Indigenous and Western-based holistic approaches to healing and addiction 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 the 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 their chosen field.

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.

Community Connections

The Mental health and wellness program provides students with an opportunity to participate and contribute to the community through various out of classroom activities. These activities may include but are not limited to the following:

• Volunteering with schools and not-for-profit organizations – Providing presentations on wellness, addictions, and mental health awareness.
• Knowledge transfer – students teaching students, for example Year 2 MHW students providing support for Year 1 students, hosting a career day for high school students interested in pursuing an education in Mental health and addictions.

Admission Requirements

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