Addiction and Mental Health Worker

Overview

Graduates of the Addiction and Mental Health Worker program of Northern College will be prepared to analyze multiple and intersecting causes and impacts of addiction and mental health issues from a multidimensional framework that integrates an Anti-Oppressive Practice (AOP) lens, inclusive of Indigenous and traditional approaches to healing. The focus of this approach will prepare students to work with individuals and family members experiencing addiction and mental health issues and challenges, as well as to intervene in an advocacy role at organizational and systems levels to promote equitable access to supports and services, including health promotion and prevention/harm reduction.

The field placement component of this program provides students with the opportunity to work in inter-professional teams to gain direct practice experience providing support to clients and families/kin through case management, assessment and referral and navigating systems of care.

Career Opportunities

Health professionals with training in addictions and mental health are highly sought after by social service employers. Graduates of the Addiction and Mental Health Worker program can find employment in shelters, drop-in centres, hospitals, correctional facilities, recovery or rehabilitation homes and crisis support agencies in roles such as Case Manager, Harm Reduction Worker, Street Outreach Worker, Short-Term Crisis Bed Worker, Front-Line Shelter Worker, Withdrawal Management Counsellor, and others.

With respect to employment prospects for individuals trained in mental health and addictions work, Service Canada notes that the labour market and demand for community and social services workers will remain high in the coming years, particularly in the addiction and mental health sector.

Graduates of the Addiction and Mental Health Worker program will be prepared for practice with individuals, families/kin and small groups who are impacted by addiction and mental health issues in a variety of community health and human services settings such as social and advocacy organizations, residential care facilities, outpatient care centres and community-based food, housing, emergency and other relief services.