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Mental Health for Healthcare WorkersNEW

Certificate of Accomplishment | MHHW

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Supported in full by The Barrett Family Foundation

This asynchronous online program is tailored for health-care providers who aspire to deepen their expertise in mental health care. 

The curriculum offers a comprehensive foundation in mental health addressing key areas such as prevalent mental health disorders, psychopharmacology, and therapeutic interventions. It emphasizes cultural humility, evidence-based practices, and wise care approaches for individuals, families, and communities. Areas of focus include building therapeutic relationships, conducting comprehensive risk assessments, trauma-informed care, crisis and safety management, and inter-professional collaboration to deliver holistic mental health services.

The program provides opportunities to refine and enhance skills in navigating complex health-care systems, fostering client recovery and resilience while adhering to the highest ethical standards.

Note: This program is aligned with the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing competencies and may assist nurses in preparing for the Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing certification, while also enhancing their skills to support client well-being.

Why Choose This Program?

This program is ideal for professionals who want to:

  • Deepen their understanding of mental health and wellness
  • Improve therapeutic communication and crisis management skills
  • Promote resilience and recovery in clients and communities
  • Meet professional development or certification goals

Admission Requirements:

To apply, you must meet the following:

Applicants must meet one of the following academic qualifications in Ontario that meets the Ontario Ministry of Colleges and Universities Program Standards:

  • A Diploma, Advanced Diploma, or Degree
  • A Personal Support Worker (PSW) diploma/certificate

AND provide one of the following:

  • Proof of current registration as a regulated health professional (e.g., CNO Entitled to Practice Confirmation).
  • A signed employment letter confirming health or community work experience in Ontario within the past five years.
    • Eligible roles include Registered Nurses, Registered Practical Nurses, Personal Support Workers, Social Workers, Paramedics, and Social Services (e.g. Addiction Counsellors, Behavioural Therapists, Development Support Workers, Youth and Shelter Workers

 

How to Apply

To apply to this certificate, please select Next Steps below.

Next Steps

Frequently Asked Questions

This certificate is open to professionals working in healthcare or community support roles, including:

  • Registered Nurses
  • Registered Practical Nurses
  • Personal Support Workers
  • Social Workers
  • Paramedics
  • Addiction Counsellors
  • Behavioural Therapists
  • Disability support workers
  • Youth and shelter workers

Courses are fully online and asynchronous, making them ideal for working professionals. The program is designed to be flexible and can be completed in as little as one year.

Courses can be taken in any order; however, we highly recommend starting with MHHW 101 and MHHW 102.

Yes, there is a mandatory e-textbook that will be used across multiple courses. The designated textbook is Morrison-Valfre’s Foundations of Mental Health Care in Canada, Elsevier eBook on VitalSource, 1st Edition (ISBN: 9781771722308).

Curriculum

Quick-Look Availability Scheduler

Use the Quick-Look Availability Scheduler to see available courses in a calendar view and plan towards achieving your certificate.

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Course Name 2025/2026 Academic Year 2026/2027 Academic Year
Compulsory May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul
MHHW 101: Mental Health Disorders: Exploring Pathology Across the Lifespan
MHHW 102: Mental Health Disorders: Assessment, Crisis Intervention and Therapeutic Pharmacology
MHHW 103: Ethics and Legislation in Mental Health
MHHW 104: Therapeutic Relationships & Modalities
MHHW 105: Navigating Complexities in Mental Health Care
MHHW 106: Integrative Roles in Mental Health: Collaboration, Advocacy, and Self-Care

Fees

The tuition is supported in full by The Barrett Family Foundation. A registration fee of $30 + HST per course applies.

Compulsory Courses

MHHW 101 Mental Health Disorders: Exploring Pathology Across the Lifespan
  Start Date: September 2025  
Examine the pathology, etiology and presentation of major mental health disorders—including anxiety disorders, mood disorders, schizophrenia, personality disorders, neurodevelopmental and neurocognitive disorders, and substance use disorders—across the lifespan. Explore how these conditions manifest at different life stages, focusing on the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria and classifications tailored to each developmental phase.

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MHHW 102 Mental Health Disorders: Assessment, Crisis Intervention and Therapeutic Pharmacology
  Start Date: September 2025  
Examine wellness assessment methodologies, crisis intervention strategies, and pharmacological treatments for mental health disorders. Develop a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms of action, therapeutic applications, potential side effects, and critical considerations for various medications, while also integrating assessment, crisis intervention, and pharmacological approaches with other treatment modalities.

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MHHW 103 Ethics and Legislation in Mental Health
 
Explore ethical and legal frameworks that guide mental health practice. Topics include key legislation such as the Mental Health Act, informed consent, substitute decision-making, capacity boards, accountability, and negligence. Engage with relevant Codes of Ethics, theoretical perspectives on ethics, and models for ethical decision-making in relation to client care.

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MHHW 104 Therapeutic Relationships & Modalities
 
Delve into essential therapeutic approaches, client connections and communication strategies in mental health care. Topics include common
psychotherapies such as CBT, DBT and psychoanalysis, as well as humanistic approaches like person-centered and solution-focused therapy.
Highlighting holistic therapies—including mindfulness and art therapy—there is an emphasis on practical application and personal reflection, offering
tools needed to effectively support clients on their mental health journeys.

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MHHW 105 Navigating Complexities in Mental Health Care
 
Explore the contemporary landscape of mental health care focusing on emerging trends and complex challenges. Delve into critical issues including
violence and abuse, forensic nursing, dual diagnoses, and the intricacies of concurrent disorders. Additionally, address the processes of grief and
bereavement, emphasizing their significant impact on clients' mental health.

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MHHW 106 Integrative Roles in Mental Health: Collaboration, Advocacy, and Self-Care
 
Investigate the integrative roles of health-care professionals in mental health through the lenses of collaboration, advocacy and self-care. Examine the
impact of an anti-oppressive framework on practice emphasizing diversity, equity and inclusion in mental health care while addressing the significant
challenges faced by health-care professionals and their clients. Explore how social determinants of health influence mental wellness and the
implications of policy and systemic factors on care delivery. Additionally, address issues related to burnout and vicarious trauma, equipping yourself
with self-care techniques to promote resilience and well-being.

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Have a Question?

Want to know more about this offering? We can help.

Contact Us

Humber Continuous Professional Learning Health Sciences & Wellness
cplhealthsciences@humber.ca
416.675.6622 ext. 4554

Need Help Registering?

Online CE Registration Help 

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