Mental Health & Substance Use Worker

Course Delivery

Online (instructor-led). Local practicums.

Start & Duration

Start: Fall

33 weeks, including 6 weeks of practicum

Wages

$20 to $32/hour

Accredited By

Private Training Institutions Regulatory Unit (PTIRU)

About the Career

As a Mental Health and Substance Use Worker, you'll support individuals facing housing, mental health, and substance use challenges in a variety of community and care settings.

Working directly with clients, you will support them physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially through appropriate strategies and interventions to address their diverse needs.

Please note: This program is not eligible for the post-graduate work permit program.

Potential Employers

As a Mental Health and Substance Use Worker, you will support individuals facing housing, mental health, and substance use challenges in a variety of community and care settings.

Community Mental Health Centres

Indigenous Health Organizations

Outpatient Counselling Clinics

Primary Care Clinics

Supportive and Transitional Housing Facilities

Shelters

Youth Addiction Treatment Programs

Correctional Institutions

About the Program

As a Mental Health and Substance Use Worker, you'll support individuals facing housing, mental health, and substance use challenges in a variety of community and care settings.

Working directly with clients, you will support them physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially through appropriate strategies and interventions to address their diverse needs.

Potential Job Titles

Community Mental Health and Addictions Worker
Mental Health and Substance Use Worker
Community Service Worker
Addictions Worker
Group Home Worker
Family Service Worker
Veteran Services Officer
Women's Shelter Worker

Related Programs

Counselling Therapist Diploma Therapeutic Recreation Assistant (Gerontology Specialization)

Accreditation and Recognition

Stenberg College is designated by the BC government's Ministry of Advanced Education through the Private Training Institutions Regulatory Unit (PTIRU). This program is pending approval by the PTIRU of the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills. PTIRU is responsible for setting standards of quality and ensuring consumer protection. Stenberg College has also received the BC government's Education Quality Assurance (EQA) designation, which is BC's brand or "seal" of quality post-secondary education for public and private institutions.

BC Education Quality Assurance designation

Admission Requirements

Grade 12 graduation or Mature Student Status (19 years of age or older)
Grade 11-level English course or higher, or one of the following: Acceptable score in one of the approved LPR tests; Accuplacer: Reading 230, Writing 230 and WritePlacer 4; CLBPT: No component less than 6; English challenge exam (minimum 70%)
Successful completion of the online Computer Skills Entrance Test (minimum 70%)
Completion of Stenberg College informational interview as part of the admissions procedure
Completion of a Criminal Record Consent Form under the Criminal Record Review Act as part of the admissions procedure
Acknowledgement of the 2-year sobriety recommendation as part of the admissions procedure

English is the language of instruction at Stenberg College. Therefore, all applicants must demonstrate an adequate level of English proficiency to ensure success in any program and courses by meeting one of the following minimum requirements:

Evidence of completion of 3 years of full-time Secondary if Grades 8-12, or 2 years of Secondary if Grades 10-12, or 2 years of Post-Secondary education in English in a country where English is one of the principal languages. (Language courses cannot be included in this calculation)
OR submit the results of one of the accepted English language proficiency tests: IELTS Academic (Overall 6.0, no component less than 5.5), Duolingo (Overall 105, no component less than 85), CELPIP (Overall 7, no component less than 6), TOEFL (Minimum overall score of 68), CAEL (Minimum overall score of 50), Pearson PTE Academic (Minimum overall score of 50)
OR Mature students (19+ years, Canadian citizen or permanent resident) who cannot access educational records can: a) complete an English Language Attestation to confirm completion of 3 years of full-time instruction in English, AND b) complete an Accuplacer Next Generation English Assessment with minimum scores of: Reading 230, Writing 230 and WritePlacer 4

Please note: This program is not eligible for the post-graduate work permit program.

Student Diversity

Stenberg supports diversity in our student population, and we hold one seat per program for a self-identified Indigenous applicant who meets admission requirements. If the seat remains unfilled at 12 weeks prior to the program start, the seat will be released and offered to other qualified applicants.

Program Courses

Orientation and Student Success Skills

This course will provide a comprehensive orientation to Stenberg College and the program you are enrolled in. In addition to orienting you to Stenberg College resources, policies, and procedures, this course will explore the transition to postsecondary education, learning styles, critical thinking, and citation and referencing. You will undertake self-evaluation, set learning and study strategy goals, and investigate the resources available to support you in achieving those goals.

Personal & Professional Development Certificate

The Personal and Professional Development (PPD) Skills Certificate is a combination of interactive online modules. In addition to the Soft Skills Development module, you will develop your ability to work with diverse clients, patients, and colleagues through the Gender Diversity and Sexual Orientation; Disability, Neurodiversity, and Accessibility; Anti-Indigenous Racism Response and Indigenous Gender Diversity; and Anti-Racism modules.

Career Search Strategies

This course is offered in an online format. You will learn to network effectively (online and in person), to search and apply for jobs, and to prepare targeted resumes and cover letters. You will be provided with coaching and individualized instructor feedback on your resume, cover letter, and interview skills.

Mental Health & Substance Use Theory

This course provides you with an understanding of the role of a Mental Health & Substance Use Worker within mental health and addiction services. It addresses personal perspectives and beliefs, as well as historical and cultural perspectives on mental health and illness.

Mental Health Disorders & Treatment

This course offers a comprehensive look at mental health and substance use disorders, emphasizing effective treatment modalities and person-centered care approaches. You will gain an understanding of various mental health conditions and substance use disorders, including their symptoms and evidence-based treatment strategies.

Developing Therapeutic Relationships

This course focuses on the development and maintenance of therapeutic relationships. Gaining the theoretical understanding and practical skills required to address and support client needs and foster a supportive environment, promoting client well-being and self-sufficiency.

Psychosocial Rehabilitation & Recovery

This course will give you the practical strategies to develop, promote, facilitate, and evaluate psychosocial rehabilitation programs in accordance with industry standards. You will gain knowledge to ensure the smooth delivery and coordination of care while responding to the client's diverse needs in a professional and caring manner.

Personal Care & Health Promotion

This course offers an overview of adopting and encouraging a healthy lifestyle. It focuses on developing personal care techniques that promote comfort, safety, and independence. You will gain knowledge of methods for supporting overall client well-being and will be introduced to concepts of medication management and critical safety precautions.

Trauma Informed Care & Harm Prevention

This course will give you the knowledge and practical skills needed to work with vulnerable and marginalized populations by using a trauma-informed care approach. While exploring the impact and signs of trauma, you will develop the necessary skills to integrate trauma-informed care to promote recovery while also reducing the risk of re-traumatization.

Child and Youth Care

This course introduces you to the foundational principles and practices of child and youth care within the mental health and substance use field. Using a trauma-informed approach, you will explore the developmental and environmental factors that shape the mental health of children and youth. Emphasis is placed on social justice, cultural safety, and Indigenous perspectives, including an examination of the lasting impacts of colonization and residential schools on Indigenous communities.

Practicum

The Consolidated Practice Experience will provide students with the opportunity to apply their learned theory and practical skills in a school setting. Making connections between theory and practice is a vital aspect of learning; self-reflection and self-evaluation are important skills for continued professional growth and development. In addition to working in a school setting, students will reflect on specific topics and have thoughtful discussions with a Stenberg College Monitor.

Workplace Hazardous Materials Information (WHMIS)

WHMIS provides information about materials in the workplace that can be hazardous, such as cleaning agents, compressed gases and flammable materials.

Provincial Violence Prevention (PVPC)

The Provincial Violence Prevention Training Curriculum will teach you to recognize and respond to violent situations and learn about different types of violence and strategies for dealing with the risks in a variety of health care contexts. The Provincial Violence Prevention Curriculum has been developed by a team of experts from WorkSafe BC, the Occupational Health & Safety Agency for health care in BC, as well as BC health authorities and healthcare unions. This training and certification is offered in collaboration with Fraser Health Authority.

Student Support

Academic tutoring
Assessment and skill development support
Open study skills tutorials
Typing practice support
One-on-one student support coaching sessions
English language learning support
Online learning resources
Online academic journals and databases
Campus life events

Ready to Apply?

Talk to a program advisor to get started on your journey.

Contact an Advisor

Next intake: Fall 2026

Stories from our Mental Health & Substance Use Worker grads

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