National Diploma in Mental Health (Mental Health Support Work) (Level 6)

About the Programme

The National Diploma in Mental Health (Mental Health Support Work) (Level 6) follows on from the National Certificate in Mental Health (Mental Health Support Worker) and has been developed as a result of an ongoing national initiative to meet the professional development needs of workers in the mental health service industry. It has been designed to enable participants to further develop and build on existing knowledge, depth and breadth of skill, and provides a staircase for those students who currently hold the National Certificate in Mental Health (Mental Health Support Work) (Level 4) which is required as the base-line qualification for mental health employees.

Offered by

Faculty of Education and Social Sciences - School of Social Sciences

Entry Requirements

Applicants must meet the following entry (requirements):

• Hold the National Certificate in Mental Health (Mental Health Support Work) (Level 4) - (55 credits are cross credited from this programme into the National Diploma in Mental Health) 
• Applicants must be able to demonstrate the following attributes:
• • Health status commensurate with the demands of the practicum; 
  • Motivation and maturity to engage with the programme and industry 
• The above attributes will be assessed through an interview process.  The interview will be conducted by an appropriate Interview Panel.  The interview will also provide an opportunity to discuss the demands of the programme. 
  AND
•  Provide a referral from an employer in the industry (where the candidate works a minimum of 15 hours per week)  
  OR
• If not working in the industry, supply two character references of the potential to work safely in the area of community mental health signed by a Justice of the Peace or Kaumatua.
   AND 
• Have English language competence to undertake this programme which is taught and assessed in English.  Any applicants whose first language is not English may be required to provide evidence of an overall IELTS (Academic) band score of 6.0 (with no score below 5.5) or equivalent. 
  AND 
• Meet the literacy diagnostic assessment requirement

Interview Process: All applicants who meet the entry requirements will gain an interview and will be able to bring a support person/whanau to the interview. The interview panel will (where possible) consist of: a consumer/tangata whai ora, tangata whenua, Pacific island representative, MIT lecturer.

Selection Criteria: Successful applicants will be accepted in order of application.

Cost

$4,900 (approx)
The Ministry of Health has student grants available – up to $2,000 per student.

International Student Fees

$16,900 per year

Programme Summary

Integrated Practice

Explain and apply knowledge of human development and health issues in mental health support work and develop an integrated practice theory.

Support

Support a mental health consumer/tangata whai ora in their management of alcohol and/or other drugs and to provide support and education to the consumer and their family/whanau.

Discrimination

Analyse discrimination and implement an individual advocacy strategy in mental health support work.

Recovery

Support mental health consumers/tangata whaiora to access employment support services and achieve recovery.

Leadership and Structure

Analyse the application of ethical values, and leadership skills within a team for mental health support work, and research critique.

Workplace Component

The programme will have a work-based component of 380 hours out of a total of 1200 hours of student learning.

Personal/Professional Development

A tutorial system, practicum supervision and professional supervision will ensure personal/professional development takes place for each course participant.

Assessment

Programme participants must demonstrate throughout the programme that they have achieved competency to the NZQA unit standard. Assessment methods will include a variety of written and practical oral presentations within the classroom and mental health settings. A minimum of 80% attendance at all courses is required.

Courses

Career Opportunities

Positions in mental health and human service agencies.

Apply here now!