Mental Health and Addiction Worker

2 years – Ontario College Diploma

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Theoretical and practical training for working with diverse populations

Overview

Upcoming Intake: Fall 2026: College Drive – North Bay

Health professionals with training in mental health and addictions are highly sought after. Prepare for a  meaningful career in this in-demand field. You will train to work in mental health and addiction-specific settings, including a broad spectrum of social and health agencies. Learn in class and in the field, through simulation and group learning, under the skilled instruction of our professors. The College collaborates with agencies across the province and with local institutions for experiential and placement opportunities.

Your Future Career

  • Recovery and rehabilitation centres
  • Community agencies
  • Mental health support and advocacy programs
  • Hospital crisis intervention units
  • Court diversion programs
  • Women, child or family support centres

What You Learn

  • Foundations of psychology and sociology
  • Crisis intervention
  • Recovery strategies and relapse prevention
  • Psychological disorders
  • Dynamics of chemical dependency
  • Fundamentals of pharmacology

Additional Option: Mental Health and Addiction Worker Intensive (accelerated):

Prepare for frontline practice as a health professional in social and health agencies in this highly collaborative and experiential program.  Available to applicants with a University degree in a related field, and internal graduates from a related program (e.g., IWAP, CJS, SSW). Learn More 

OSSD or equivalent, ENG4C or ENG4U

If English is not your first language you must provide proof of English competency.

View current English Language Proficiency Requirements.

Semester 1

CLT100 Canada's First Peoples
CMM125 College Communication
HSP105 Interviewing & Helping Skills I
MHA165 Mental Health Across the Lifespan
MHA180 Introduction to Substance Use
PSY200 Lifespan Development
SOC100 Foundations of Sociology

Semester 2

CMM230 Workplace Communications
ENG200 Creative Writing
HSP104 Human Service and the Law
MHA160 Interviewing for Mental Health and Addictions
SSW219 Group Work for Social Service Workers
MHA113 Older Persons' Mental Health
MHA123 Children and Youth Mental Health
MHA213 Interventions for Mental Health & Addictions I

Semester 3

GENED General Education Elective - Online (MHA Sem 3)
HSP170 Evaluating Information
MHA223 Interventions for Mental Health and Addictions II
MHA235 Pharmacology for Mental Health & Addiction Workers
MHA249  Cognitive Behaviour Techniques
MHA250  Trauma-Informed Relapse Prevention and Crisis Intervention
MHA294 Fieldwork Preparation

Semester 4

MHA246 FieldPlacement
MHA247 Fieldwork Integration

2025-26 – 2 years – Ontario College Diploma

College Drive Campus – Domestic
Year Tuition Ancillary Fees Material Fee Trip Fee Total
1 $2720.24 $1587 $38 - $4345.24
2 $2720.24 $1423 $17 - $4160.24

2025-26 – 2 years – Ontario College Diploma

College Drive Campus – International
Year Tuition Ancillary Fees Material Fee Trip Fee Total
1 $15547.54 $1975.5 $38 - $17561.04
2 $15547.54 $1811.5 $17 - $17376.04

Mandatory Non-Academic Requirements for Placement:

Work-Integrated Learning (also called Placement, Field Placement, Practicum, Clinical Placement, etc.) provides students with rich and meaningful experiences wherein they have the opportunity to apply and extend the learning they gain from the classroom in real-word contexts. View placement requirements here.

Textbooks:

Check out the Campus Bookstore to not only purchase your textbooks but also view your book list before the semester starts. 

Technology/Devices:

Canadore College has implemented Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) to enhance your learning experience in and out of the classroom while ensuring flexibility in learning.

To learn more about BYOD and to find out what is required for your program, please visit https://www.canadorecollege.ca/BYOD

You will also need:

  • Business Casual Clothing - up to $100.00

Recommended Certifications:

  • Standard First Aid and CPR/AED – level C or Basic Life Support (BLS/HCP)

Certifications Included:

  • ASIST – Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training
  • NVCI- Non-Violent Crisis Intervention
  • GPA – Gentle Persuasive Approach
  • Naloxone Training

Ontario College Diploma

Eligible to pursue certification with the Canadian Addiction Counsellors Certification Federation (CACCF)

Eligible for membership with the Ontario Association of Mental Health Professionals (OAMHP)

Learning outcomes represent culminating demonstrations of learning and achievement. In addition, learning outcomes are interrelated and cannot be viewed in isolation of one another. As such, they should be viewed as a comprehensive whole. They describe performances that demonstrate that significant integrated learning by graduates of the program has been achieved.

View Program Vocational Learning Outcomes

View course outlines

Find out more about General Education program requirements here.

Placement

Students participate in a mandatory placement locally or anywhere in the province of Ontario.  Placements allow students the opportunity to integrate classroom, lab and simulation learning into real world context. Students are responsible for costs associated with transportation to and from assigned placements.

There are many options available to students who already have some postsecondary education.

Whether you are looking to study at Canadore from another school,  continue your education at Canadore, or looking to pursue further education elsewhere, we can help find the right path for you!

Whether you want to Transfer TO Canadore, Transfer WITHIN Canadore, or prepare to Transfer FROM Canadore, we've got you covered!

Learn more about Credit Transfer and Pathway opportunities here.