Mental Health & Addiction Worker Fast Track

Type: Ontario College Diploma ​

Length: 3 Semesters

Partner: Canadore College 

Delivery: Virtual Delivery

Next Intakes: Fall 2025

Locations: Virtual Delivery

Tuition: $4,808.36* for 3-SEMESTER DIPLOMA 

*subject to change 

OVERVIEW 

Get your Mental Health and Addiction Worker diploma in just three semesters with the FastTrack Program! 

As a graduate in the Social Service field, you may be eligible for admission into the Mental Health and Addiction Worker FastTrack Program! Students will take two semesters of academic study and complete one semester of field placement. 

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 this challenging and in-demand field.  

Community mental health and addiction workers assist individuals with mental health challenges, housing and addiction issues. They support skills training, 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 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. 

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN: 

Foundations of psychology and sociology 

Crisis intervention 

Recovery strategies and relapse prevention 

Abnormal psychology 

Dynamics of chemical dependency 

Fundamentals of pharmacology  

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES: 

Addiction treatment centres and prevention programs 

Mental health facilities 

Hospitals 

Correctional facilities 

Recovery or rehabilitation homes 

Community housing 

Volunteer coordinator

ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS 

Social Service Worker graduate from FNTI or Canadore College

or

  • University Degree or an Ontario College Diploma or advanced diploma in one of the following:

    • Indigenous Wellness and Addictions Prevention,

    • Social Service Worker

    • Community Justice Services,

    • Others to be determined by the Program Coordinator.

ACCREDITATION 

Graduates can apply to register with the Canadian Addiction Counsellors Certification Federation (CACCF) 

For more information, contact our Recruitment Office at 1.800.267.0637 ext. 141 or email us at recruitment@fnti.net