Mental Health & Addiction Worker

Type: Ontario College Diploma ​

Length: 2 Years

Partner: Canadore College 

Delivery: Virtual Delivery

Field Placement: 378 Hours

Next Intakes: Fall 2025

Locations: Virtual Delivery

Tuition: $6,686.48* for 2-YEAR DIPLOMA 

*subject to change 

OVERVIEW 

The Mental Health and Addiction Worker program respects the histories and vulnerabilities of Indigenous Peoples, while preparing students – culturally, intellectually, emotionally and experientially – for work in the field of Indigenous wellness.

Community mental health and addiction workers assist individuals with Indigenous wellness, mental health challenges, housing and addiction issues. They support skills, training, and daily living activities for improved quality of life, stability and independence for their clients.

These mental health professionals discuss, isolate and assess problems, develop a flexible plan of action, ensure basic needs are met, network clientele with needed services, and provide crisis intervention as necessary. They also act as coordinators for volunteers. 

Students in the Mental Health and Addiction Worker program will explore Indigenous community realities within the context of the mental health and wellness field. Indigenous ways of knowing and understanding the world are examined and presented with knowledge and skills relative to Indigenous culture, values and practices. Students learn from an Indigenous perspective through intensive field placements that focus on personal growth and skills application.

FIELD PLACEMENT 

Your program includes field placement and volunteer opportunities that will give you hands-on experience!  

Over the course of your program, you will complete a 378-hour field placement that focuses on practicing on working within an interdisciplinary team to provide client support in mental health settings. These real-world experiences are mandatory and are designed to allow you to integrate classroom teachings with professional practice.  

Through your placements, you will gain valuable experience that will help you understand the diverse roles, settings, and responsibilities of a Mental Health and Addiction Worker.