Diploma of Mental Health
Grounded in Culture, guided by care – the Diploma of Mental health will equip you with the skills to walk with Mob through life’s toughest moments.
COURSE CODE
CHC53315
At a glance
Duration
18 months
(3 days per month)
Class type
Face-to-face classes three days per month from 9am-5pm.
Enrolling on behalf of your team?
Course Overview
If you’ve laid the foundations in mental health support and are ready to go deeper – this is your next step.
The Diploma of Mental Health builds on core support skills and prepares you to work with greater complexity and confidence. You’ll learn how to respond to trauma, support recovery, and navigate multifaceted needs in Community – while developing strong case management, advocacy and collaborative practice skills.
Designed for those already working in, or looking to step into, more specialised roles, this course equips you to lead care planning, respond in crisis, and work across teams and systems.
Who is this course deadly for?:
Graduates can work in roles across the ACCO and mainstream sector, such as:
- Mental Health Support Worker
- Social and Emotional Wellbeing Worker
- Community Mental Health/Support Worker
- Mental Health Outreach Worker
- Recovery Support Worker
- Case Worker (Mental Health)
Course Details
How you will learn
This course combines classroom learning with real-world experience:
- Face-to-face training (3 days per month)
- Group discussions and peer support
- Workshops led by industry experts, including Elders and Community leaders
- Practical assessments and reflective learning tasks
Clinical placement
160 hours of supervised placement required.
Placement allows you to apply your skills in a mental health or SEWB setting, supervised by professionals. If you’re not already in a role, Yagilaith Djerring can help you organise a placement.
Further study pathways
Graduates may continue their studies with:
- CHC62015 Advanced Diploma of Community Sector Management
- CHC51015 Diploma of Counselling
- CHC51015 Diploma in Counselling
- Bachelor of Counselling
Assessment methods may include:
- Written questions
- Observation/demonstration
- Case studies
Learning outcomes
By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:
- upport people living with mental health challenges and psychiatric disability using recovery-focused approaches
- promote social and emotional wellbeing across all life stages
- use specialist knowledge about laws, advocacy, education and health services to support your clients
- implement Community-based programs and activities that improve mental health
- apply trauma-informed, culturally safe practices
- work effectively in multidisciplinary teams across health, justice and welfare sectors.
Course fees
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in Victoria can access the Aboriginal access fee waiver – no tuition fees required.
Travel and accommodation costs may be subsidised through the AbStudy funding program if you’re eligible.
See Yagilaith Djerring Course Fees for more information.
Course Structure
To graduate, you must complete 20 units of competency – 15 core and five elective:
Core Units
CORE UNIT NAME
CORE UNIT CODE
- Provide systems advocacy services CHCADV005
- Work with diverse people CHCDIV001
- Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety CHCDIV002
- Establish self-directed recovery relationships CHCMHS002
- Provide recovery oriented mental health services CHCMHS003
- Work collaboratively with the care network and other services CHCMHS004
- Provide services to people with co-existing mental health and alcohol and other drugs issues CHCMHS005
- Provide early intervention, health prevention and promotion programs CHCMHS009
- Implement recovery-oriented approaches to complexity CHCMHS010
- Assess and promote social, emotional and physical wellbeing CHCMHS011
- Provide support to develop wellness plans and advanced directives CHCMHS012
- Implement trauma informed care CHCMHS013
- Research and apply evidence to practice CHCPOL003
- Reflect on and improve own professional practice CHCPRP003
- Manage work health and safety HLTWHS004
Elective Units
ELECTIVE UNIT NAME
ELECTIVE UNIT CODE
- Increase the safety of individuals at risk of suicide CHCCCS003
- Provide loss and grief support CHCCCS017
- Establish and confirm the counselling relationship CHCCSL001
- Recognise and respond appropriately to domestic and family violence CHCDFV001
- Facilitate the recovery process with the person, family and carers CHCMHS006
Why study at Yagilaith Djerring?
Self-determined
training
Training is co-designed with ACCOs and the Aboriginal health sector to ensure your learning is connected to current sector needs.
Expert
educators
Subject matter experts with current industry experience and Community leaders will shape your learning.
Support every
step of the way
A dedicated support team will walk with you throughout your journey – from enrolment to graduation.
Culturally safe
learning
Training that respect and reflects your cultural identity and lived experience.
Entry Requirements
Below are the entry requirements for this course:
To enrol, you must:
- be 18 years or older at the time of enrolment
- complete a Learning, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) assessment and Pre-Training Review (PTR) to assess your suitability and workplace access requirements
- have wide-ranging skills and knowledge about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of living
- have basic digital skills, including Microsoft Word and PowerPoint.
You must also be:
- working or volunteering in a relevant role providing support to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people, or
- working or volunteering for an Aboriginal health organisation, or
- able to access an appropriate workplace to complete practical assessments.
If you’ve completed similar units or gained relevant skills through work or study, you may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) or Credit Transfer. Our team can guide you through this process during enrolment.
This training is delivered under the Skills First Program and may be free for eligible students.
Eligibility is assessed individually before enrolment, and tuition fees may vary depending on your circumstances.
Additional Information
Yagilaith Djerring (RTO No. 20739) is responsible for the quality of training, assessment and the issuing of nationally recognised certification.
Completion of this course does not guarantee employment.
Yagilaith Djerring supports inclusive education and welcomes learners from all backgrounds, including people with a disability.
Ready to create positive mental health outcomes?
