National Diploma in Mental Health (Mental Health Support Work) Level 6

Designed for people who have already developed or wish to develop a higher level of competence in mental health support work than is covered in the National Certificate. These mental health support workers may have more seniority in the workplace, carry a higher level of responsibility, and engage in more complex relationships with consumers/tangata whai ora. They may also lead a team of mental health workers.

Designed to provide health professionals and people employed in the mental health support work field, who may have either extensive experience in mental health support work and/or have completed the National Certificate in Mental Health Support Work, with the opportunity to extend their theoretical and practical knowledge relevant to mental health support work services.

This programme acknowledges the skills of those already in the workplace who work safely with consumers/tangata whai ora and requires those who wish to obtain this qualification to demonstrate competence through theoretical learning and practical experience.

(Eight unit standards  - See Table 1 - in the National Certificate in Mental Health Support Work (Level 4) are included in the National Diploma (Level 6) because they are essential competencies for mental health support workers or alternatively they have been recommended for entry to other unit standards in the National Diploma qualification)

NOTE: Zero Fees does not apply to this programme, however the Mental Health Support Work Grant from Careerforce is available to the majority of students (conditions apply).

Table 1

13424   Explain the application of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in mental health support work

13426   Demonstrate self awareness for mental health support work

13431   Participate in supervision as a mental health support worker

13432   Participate in a group or team to achieve mental health support work objectives     

21920   Describe support for a mental health consumer/tangata whai ora using alcohol or other drugs   

21921   Provide information and education to families and whanau in mental health support work

21924   Describe consumer/tangata whai ora rights in mental health support work

21926   Prepare to establish relationships with whanau in mental health support work

Table 2

18547   Support a mental health consumer/tangata whai ora in their management of alcohol and/or other drugs.

19750   Provide support to families/whanau in mental health support work.

20043   Support mental health consumers/tangata whai ora to access employment support services

22833   Support a consumer/tangata whai ora to achieve a recovery goal in mental health support work

22834   Analyse discrimination and implement an individual advocacy strategy in mental health support work

22835   Implement a strategy to respond to discrimination against consumers/tangata whai ora

22836   Analyse the application of ethical values for mental health support work

22837   Demonstrate an integrated practice theory for mental health support work

22838   Analyse legal structures and laws for mental health support work

22839   Analyse leadership and lead a group or team to achieve mental health support work objectives

22840   Critique and interpret a research project relevant to a mental health service user group

22841   Explain and apply knowledge of human development and health issues in mental health support work

either:

• Completion of National Certificate in Mental Health Support Work or equivalent

or:

• Demonstration of extensive experience in mental health work

and:

• Usually currently employed or working as a volunteer in the mental health support work field
• Demonstration of aptitude for working in the mental health field
• Demonstration of likely completion of programme
• Mature age applicants are preferred. All applicants will participate in a selection process. Interview candidates may elect to be accompanied by whanau or other support persons, who may speak on behalf of the candidate.

Students who have successfully completed the units in Table 1, of the National Certificate in Mental Health Support Work (Level 4) already, will have been awarded the 55 credits towards the National Diploma and therefore will only have to complete the unit standards listed in Table 2, to gain the National Diploma in Mental Health Support Work (Level 6).

Students who have not completed the units in Table 1 must complete them with the unit standards in Table 2 to achieve a total of 187 credits to gain the National Diploma in Mental Health Support Work (Level 6).

The Diploma consists of 187 credits in total from 20 unit standards.