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Get the Skills to Become a Community Service & Mental Health Worker

Group of Community Service Mental Health Workers at a volunteer site.
If you’re looking for a rewarding and fulfilling career, look no further than a career as a Community Service Mental Health Worker

49-Week Community Service & Mental Health Worker + Internship Program in Windsor, ON

Community Service and Mental Health Workers assist licensed professionals counsel people facing a wide range of challenges, including poverty, mental health disabilities, physical disabilities, addiction, and family problems. Most assist with providing case management services to help guide people to overcome personal challenges such as unemployment, illness, loss, family dysfunction, and other crises.

Community service and mental health workers evaluate the individuals or groups strengths, needs, and goals and assist licensed professionals in developing plans to help them progress toward these goals. For example, a child community service worker may create a plan to help a child readjust to a school setting. Community service and mental health workers focused on employment may assess the vocational needs of an individual and create a plan to help them gain employment. Overall, they aim to provide emotional support to help people and groups reach their full potential.

The best way to see if CCHST is the right fit for you is to come to a Personalized Information Session with one of our Admissions Advisors. Schedule a Session Now or Get more info.


Community Service & Mental Health Worker

12-Month Diploma | $24.18 – $35/hr*


  • Graduates hired by social service and government agencies, mental health agencies & group homes
  • Occupations include Support Worker for Child & Youth, Aboriginal Outreach Worker, Life Skills Instructor


*Source: https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/

Is a Career as a Community Service and Mental Health Worker Right for You? Take the CCHST “Community Service and Mental Health Worker Career Training Readiness Quiz”

This fun, online quiz takes 3-minutes to complete and you’ll get a personalized report. Identify your strengths and social style plus the training and positions you’re best suited for. Get Your Community Service and Mental Health Worker Career Training Readiness Score Now >>

Becoming a Community Service & Mental Health Worker

Our Community Service and Mental Health Worker program is a 49-week program, with 235 hours of internship with on-the-job training, offsite with potential employers. Our program teaches the necessary theory and practical skills to work with individuals and families who are dealing with mental health, economic challenges, disability, addictions, employment and personal and/or social challenges.

Our curriculum covers social work in Canada, family dynamics, life management for you and your client, populations at risk, counselling and interview techniques, sociology, basic psychology, and much more.

Program Outline

Intro to Computers & Microsoft Office

This module will provide students with an overview of computer applications, the Windows operating system and the Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook. Students will develop the professional skills needed in modern business world through a series of projects and simulations in an interactive digital environment.

Business Communications & Interpersonal Skills

This module will provide students the tools to develop business English and interpersonal communication skills necessary to function in the modern business setting. In addition, this module provides a review of English grammar, sentence structure and punctuation as they apply to business communications. Students will develop effective interpersonal communication skills for managing personal and working relationships. The importance of diversity inclusion and teamwork will also be explored.

Basic Psychology & Sociology

This module provides the students with a basic knowledge and understanding of psychological concepts which can be applied in further studies of social sciences.  The principals of psychology are introduced including learning, motivation, behaviour, development, and factors affecting interpersonal relationships and group dynamics.  The subject also discusses psychology as a science, the history of psychology, states of consciousness, biology and behaviour, developmental psychology, disorders, and therapies. The impact of Canadian society on the individual is the focus of this introductory sociology course. Various aspects of social structure, how these structures affect the individual, and how they may impact of the policing function, will be discussed. Students will learn to view situations from a sociological perspective.

Social Work in Canada

In this module, students will be introduced to Social Work Practice from a Canadian perspective. Students will cover topics that include: Theoretical and conceptual cases of Canadian Social Work Practice; Socio-Political factors influencing Canadian Social Work Practice, practice methods, service delivery and practice issues.

Populations at Risk

In this module, students will learn about High Risk Populations in Canadian society. They will look at programs for these specific target groups in a counselling context.

Canadian Family Dynamic

In this module students will focus on themes of cultural diversity in contemporary Canadian society within a world perspective. Students will understand the dynamic structure and definition of the institution of the family and family issues. Students will be given the tools for an ongoing process of observation, understanding and analysis of marital and family relationships and organizations.

Community & Social Services

This module will introduce students to the social agencies in the community and the various services available to address social problems. As an enforcement professional, the student will need to have an acute awareness of the various services a community may have to assist people of all ages. Students will compile a community social agencies directory outlining the various resources available and will complete a community profile for a selected area of the region

The Counselling Relationship

This module is designed to provide the students with a framework in which to view helping functions and related skills in a systematic manner. The subject concentrates on the helpers task of becoming a more aware and effective person. Emphasis is on empowering others to help themselves, through communication and coping skills development.

Communication Strategies

In this module, students perform a variety of functions, but the key role is that of a communicator. Communication Strategies provides a comprehensive study of effective communication skills and techniques the student will use both professionally and personally. The subject will sharpen skills to work effectively in a professional helping relationship.

Lifestyle Management & Crisis Intervention

The emphasis of this module is on assisting students to develop the knowledge and skills that will enable them to develop lifestyle practices to achieve the goal of optimum personal functioning. Topics contained in this course include nutrition, stress management, and lifestyle management. Upon completion students should understand the basic elements of maintaining a healthy lifestyle and have action plan for making any necessary changes to achieve this goal.

Human Services Resources

This module establishes a framework to assess needs and explores the various services available in the community. This is accomplished by guiding the student through series of assignments to enhance their evaluation skills and knowledge.

Introduction to Substance Use & Abuse

This module provides the foundation for further in-depth subjects as students continue in the study of addiction. The basic pharmacological nature and effects of a range of psychoactive chemicals are presented with an emphasis on challenging myths of which chemicals cost society the greatest in terms of economic costs and social burden of human suffering. Specific target populations are explored, focusing on women, children/adolescents, ethnic minorities, elderly, disabled and those suffering from mental illness in the family. Assessment, intervention strategies and treatment options are presented along with the most common problems encountered during the duration of with respects to Substance Abuse and Mental Illness.

Job Search, Interview Skills & Resume Writing

This module will provide students with the skills to prepare for employment, research employment opportunities within their field of study and be successful in their future career. Some of the topics included will be the preparation of a resume, interview and cover letter.

Internship

Students will complete 235 hours of internship at sites including health centres, group homes, government service offices, nursing homes and LTC facilities.

Start Dates

29-Jan-24
15-Apr-24
13-May-24
27-May-24
3-Jun-24
22-Jul-24
19-Aug-24
30-Sep-24
4-Nov-24
2-Dec-24

Practical “On-The-Job” Training

We believe in learning by doing. That’s why our Community Service and Mental Health Worker + Internship program emphasizes practical, hands-on training that allows you to apply your knowledge in real-world settings. During your internship, you’ll gain valuable skills and build the confidence needed to excel in your chosen field.

Career Opportunities

Upon completion of this program, you may work in various roles such as:

  • Support Worker for Children and Youth
  • Aboriginal Outreach Worker
  • Life Skills Instructor
  • Women’s Shelter Supervisor
  • And more!

Admission Requirements

  • Candidates must submit a copy of their Secondary School Diploma (OSSD, GED, or better), if this is not available they will be required to pass the Scholastic Level Exam (SLE).
  • Candidates must also submit a negative Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC), Pre-Admission Medical Report and Immunizations may be required for practicum.

Enroll Now

The Community Service and Mental Health Worker + Internship program is approved as a vocational program under the Ontario Career College Act, 2005.

Is a Career as a Community Service and Mental Health Worker Right For You? Get More Info…

To learn more about a career as a Community Service and Mental Health Worker and to find out if CCHST is right for you, fill out the form on this page to receive more information.

For immediate questions, call 519-977-1222