Healthcare
Addiction and Mental Health Worker
Make a real difference with the Addiction and Mental Health Worker program. Gain hands-on training, industry certifications, and personalized instruction in small classes. A 12-week internship ensures practical experience, preparing you to support individuals and communities facing addiction and mental health challenges with confidence and skill.
Type
Diploma
Duration
66 Weeks
Internship
12 Weeks
About The Program
This 66-week diploma program prepares you with the knowledge, practical skills, and professional certifications to work in the growing fields of addiction and mental health support. You will learn 1-to-1 and group counselling techniques, crisis intervention, treatment planning, case management, relapse prevention, and trauma-informed care. Courses also include Theories of Addiction, Counselling and Trauma-Informed Care, Pharmacology, Family Dynamics, Mental Health and Addictions, and Crisis Intervention, along with digital literacy, student success strategies, and career planning.
Your learning is supported with certifications such as Mental Health First Aid, Trauma and Violence Informed Care, Suicide Prevention (SPRAM), Naloxone Administration, Positive Space Training, and more. The program concludes with a 12-week, 300-hour internship that gives you the opportunity to apply your skills in real-world community, clinical, and recovery settings.
The Addiction and Mental Health Worker program is delivered online through live, instructor-led sessions that combine the flexibility of virtual learning with the interaction and guidance of experienced instructors.
Career Opportunities
As an Addiction and Mental Health Worker graduate, you may qualify for positions such as:
- Addiction and Mental Health Support Worker
- Crisis Intervention Worker
- Mental Health Support Worker
- Outreach Worker
- Residential Program or Group Home Worker
- Case Manager in addictions and mental health services
Employers Who Have Hired triOS Grads
- Christie Ossignton Neighborhood – Toronto
- Canadian Centre for Addictions
- National Overdose Response Service (NORS): All Regions
- Toronto Community Housing
- SUDS Addiction Center – Hamilton
- oneRoof Youth Services: Kitchener
- Salvation Army – Toronto
- Canadian Mental Health Association – Hamilton
Salary
$
26
Average Wage/HR**
$
38
High Wage/HR**
NOC Code: 42201 - **Wage data rounded down to the nearest dollar. Average wage doesn't reflect the starting salary but represents the middle value between lowest to highest wages. Local (or regional) income may vary. Last updated in March 2025.
Program Details
Are you passionate about supporting individuals affected by addiction and mental health challenges? Do you want a career where you can create meaningful changes in people’s lives? The Addiction and Mental Health Worker program equips you with the knowledge, practical skills, and professional certifications needed to begin a rewarding career in this field.
Through courses such as Theories of Addiction, Counselling and Trauma-Informed Care, Crisis Intervention, Treatment and Relapse Prevention, and Special Considerations in Mental Health and Addiction Work, you will gain a strong foundation in both theory and practice. You will learn intake, assessment, case management, motivational interviewing, and crisis response, with an emphasis on professional ethics and culturally competent care. Training also includes family dynamics, priority populations, and concurrent disorders, preparing you to work effectively with diverse clients.
In addition to your core studies, you will earn industry-recognized certifications such as Mental Health First Aid, Trauma and Violence Informed Care, Naloxone Administration, Suicide Prevention (SPRAM), and more. A 12-week, 300-hour internship gives you the opportunity to apply your skills in real-world settings such as recovery centers, outpatient clinics, and community organizations.
Addiction and Mental Health Worker Program: Certifications
This program includes a comprehensive set of certifications that demonstrate professional readiness across both addiction and mental health fields. Graduates will earn:
- Verbal Intervention: Crisis Prevention Institute
- Trauma and Violence Informed Care: Canadian Public Health Association, Centre4Sexuality
- Positive Space Training: SafeZone Project
- Naloxone Administration: Community partners across Ontario
- Helping Trafficked Persons: MCIS, Government of Ontario
- Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act: Government of Ontario
- CPR/First Aid: St. John’s Ambulance (Standard First Aid and Level C CPR)
- Mental Health First Aid: St. John’s Ambulance
- Suicide Prevention, Risk Assessment & Management (SPRAM): Alberta Health Services (Accredited by CACCF)
Course Listings
Addiction Mental Health Worker Internship
Upon successful completion of classroom hours of this program, you will be placed in a 12-week, 300-hour internship at an outside organization. You will have the opportunity to apply your new and developed skills within an organization that offers an in-patient recovery program, an outpatient facility/clinic, or with another community partner such as group therapy services or soup kitchens.
Assessment and Program Planning
This course enhances your assessment and program planning skills, a critical competency for Mental Health Workers. You will apply evidence-based modalities to client assessments and program planning, designing individualized support programs that align with client needs, goals, and strengths. Through real-world scenarios and role-playing exercises, you will demonstrate practical skills and evaluate your competencies as a Mental Health Worker. Additionally, you will analyze client progress and adapt programs to ensure effective outcomes. The course emphasizes integrating ethical and culturally sensitive practices into assessment and program planning processes.
Addiction Worker Career Planning
This overview of the Addiction Worker field of practice will include ethical codes, core competencies, and professional identity. You will review and examine their National Occupation Code, main requirements of employment in substance use modes of treatment, and professional regulatory standards (including the Canadian Addiction Counsellors Certification Federation credentials). You will consider your place in the social services realm by discussing the general outcomes of working with people who use substances, their family members, and interdisciplinary teams.
Case Management
In this course, you will follow simulated case loads to document client progress over time. Practical deliverables include intake forms, case notes, progress notes, legal forms, medical documentation, and termination notes. You will explore digital case management software and electronic files. The course also reviews the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA), the Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW) Code of Ethics, and reporting requirements. To uphold your ethical obligation to human rights, you will have an opportunity to receive a certification in Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) from the Government of Ontario.
Counselling and Trauma Informed Care
This course provides an overview of supportive interpersonal techniques that are focused on assisting individuals with specific goals by using effective communication, empathy, and relationship-building with clients. Using a person-centred approach to care, you will explore these techniques, along with motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioural therapy, and solution-focused therapy modes. Upon completion of this course, you will learn about the importance of empathy in a helping relationship, and address confidentiality, informed consent, and ethical decision-making. You will receive an opportunity to obtain certification in Verbal Intervention Strategies (Crisis Prevention Institute) and Trauma and Violence Informed Care.
Career Planning and Preparation - Level 1
This course will introduce you to and provide practice in using the tools required for a successful job search. The concepts covered in this course will help you maintain a career-focused approach throughout your studies so that you are better prepared to conduct a job search after graduating. Specifically, you will learn how to identify your soft and hard skills and how to articulate your abilities in a clear and concise Elevator Pitch that will appeal to employers and resonate with industry contacts. You will learn about the job search resources available to you including using career websites, creating LinkedIn profiles, accessing the “hidden” job market, and networking. You will examine sample résumés and cover letters and begin the process of creating your own professional résumés and cover letters that align with current conventions for content, organization, and formatting. You will also learn about the role of references, thank you letters, workplace philosophies, and strategies for success including maintaining a professional image and using proper etiquette when communicating with potential employers and industry contacts.
Career Planning and Preparation - Level 2
This module builds on concepts and skills introduced in the Career Planning and Preparation Level 1 module. In this subsequent module, you will update and refine your résumé and LinkedIn Profile. You will continue writing cover letters and learn the value of customizing cover letters to specific job postings. You will have the opportunity to apply this knowledge as you conduct a job search and write a cover letter tailored to an ideal job post. Through research, you will create a list of top employers and target current industry opportunities. You will learn about current methods for applying to job postings using technology. You will also gain an understanding of the job interview process, typical interview questions and possible responses, and expectations of both the interviewer and interviewee. In addition, you will engage in practical application of the interview process through role-play. Topics such as negotiating salary, self-management, and on-the-job success for placements and post-graduate employment will also be covered.
Standard First Aid/CPR/WHIMIS
This course provides you with comprehensive CPR training. It includes the latest first aid and CPR guidelines and meets federal and provincial regulations for Standard First Aid and CPR Level C. The course includes the following topics: preparing to respond; the EMS system; check, call, care; airway emergencies; breathing and circulation emergencies; first aid for respiratory and cardiac arrest; wound care; head and spine injuries; bone, muscle and joint injuries; sudden medical emergencies; environmental emergencies; and poisons. The WHMIS section of this course teaches you the basic elements of WHMIS 2015 and the Global Harmonization System. This covers the safety measures and guidelines to be followed when exposed to or working with hazardous materials.
Crisis Intervention
This course prepares you to intervene effectively in mental health and addiction crises, with a focus on suicide prevention and overdose response. You will identify and implement effective strategies for crisis intervention, assess risks, and manage interventions efficiently. Emphasis is placed on adhering to professional ethical obligations, including maintaining confidentiality and following the Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW) Code of Ethics and the Canadian Addiction Counsellors Certification Federation (CACCF) Canon Ethical Principles. The course also covers the application of crisis intervention techniques from Mental Health First Aid and suicide crisis intervention training to support individuals in psychological and addiction-related emergencies. By the end of the course, you will be equipped with essential skills and knowledge to handle mental health crises professionally and ethically.
Addiction, Crim and Psychology
This course examines the complex relationship between addiction and criminal behaviour, providing you with insights into how substance use disorders can influence involvement in criminal activities. You will explore the sociological, psychological, and legal factors that contribute to criminal behaviour in individuals with addictions. The course will cover topics such as the cycle of addiction and crime, the impact of drugs on decision-making and risk behaviours, and the role of the criminal justice system in addressing substance-related offenses. You will learn about various approaches to intervention and rehabilitation, including diversion programs, harm reduction, and community-based support initiatives. You will also delve into the impact of your personal attitudes and biases on your work while employing strategies for managing your personal beliefs in an Addiction Worker context.
Digital Literacy for Professionals
This course introduces essential concepts and principles for navigating and working in a digital environment. Key topics include using devices, managing information, creating and editing content, communicating and collaborating with digital tools, and ensuring online safety and responsibility. You will also apply best practices for folder organization and file naming conventions.
Family Dynamics and Addiction
This course focuses on understanding the impact of substance use within the family system. You will explore the complexities of family dynamics, communication patterns, and the role of support networks in addiction treatment. This course emphasizes the importance of involving families in identification, intervention, and recovery processes.
Introduction to Mental Health for Addiction Workers
In this course, you will focus on the mental health system in Canada, including its history and current delivery model and structure. You will also explore ethical and legal considerations in the mental health system and how to assess and intervene using the Recovery Model. The importance of community treatment, self-determination, and recovery-based, consumer-led programming are the main focus of the course.
Introduction to Mental Health and Addictions
This course equips you with some of the essential skills and knowledge needed for a career as a Mental Health Worker. You will analyze the diagnostic process for mental health conditions and examine core competencies, such as communication, empathy, ethical principles, and crisis management. You will explore major conceptual frameworks for understanding mental illness, including biological, psychological, and socio-cultural perspectives. The course addresses different modes of service delivery in mental health care, assessing how these services meet the needs of individuals in various settings. You will apply problem-solving techniques to address challenges related to time constraints, caseload management, and client engagement. This comprehensive course prepares you to effectively support individuals with mental health concerns.
Lifespan Psychology for Addictions
Lifespan Psychology explores developmental psychology, the study of age-related changes over the lifespan. Throughout this course, you will focus on critical periods where substance use becomes prominent in people's lives. You will focus on the aspects of prevention, intervention, and recurence of use throughout the lifespan. You will discover the normal and abnormal changes in physical, cognitive, emotional, social, and personality development in order to assess vulnerabilities and resiliencies within those who are affected by the use of drugs.
Pharmacology of Addictions
This course explores how psychoactive substances affect the brain, behaviour, and overall health. You will explore pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and specific drug classes relevant to addiction. You will deepen your understanding of the therapeutic and toxic effects of drugs, including endogenous and exogenous substances. The course also reviews the effects of drugs on the central and peripheral nervous systems. By examining the mechanisms of action, side effects, and interactions, you will gain essential knowledge for effective addiction counselling and harm reduction.
Professional Networking and Addiction Resources
This course provides an opportunity for you to conduct a research study on community agencies that are specific to the field of addictions. Throughout this course, you will discuss multidisciplinary approaches to addiction services, models of addictions, and resource mapping. You will also build a database of available resources in local communities and create a community resource list for addictions treatment.
Priority Populations
In this course you will explore priority populations and social concerns that affect individuals who use substances. Special focus will be on assessing and understanding the many layers of discrimination that create barriers to accessing service. Topics include housing, food security, employment, mental health, human trafficking, and the impact of involvement in the corrections system. You will have the opportunity to complete a certification in Helping Trafficked Persons.
Treatment and Relapse Prevention Planning
This course equips you with essential skills and knowledge for creating effective treatment and relapse prevention plans tailored to individuals who use substances. Emphasizing a client-centered approach, you will explore the stages of recovery, develop strategies for achieving long-term recovery goals, and learn to identify and address the warning signs of relapse. Through interactive lectures and case studies, you will gain practical experience in building comprehensive treatment plans that integrate therapeutic approaches, support networks, and lifestyle evaluation. This course also examines the role of co-occurring disorders, cultural competence, and trauma-informed care in preventing reoccurrence. By the end of this course, you will be prepared to work collaboratively with clients, creating personalized relapse prevention plans that support sustained recovery and overall well-being. You will also apply skills of grant writing to relieve gaps in service and have an opportunity to receive certification in Positive Space Training.
Special Considerations in Mental Health and Addiction Work
In this course, you will explore how mental health and substance use are connected, how these concerns can lead to judgment from individuals or other professionals, and how those judgments can hinder acccess to social determinants of health, such as housing, education, healthcare, and employment. Through individualized planning, you will use your documentation skills, ethics, and assessments to positively impact individuals as well as broader social attitudes. You will earn a certification, At the Intersection: Building Awareness and Capacity to Support People Experiencing Intersectional Stigma (CPHA and C4S).
Secondary Traumatic Stress
This course provides an overview of Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS) from the perspective of the addiction worker and their relationships with clients. Among the topics you will examine are compassion fatigue, burnout, vicarious trauma, countertransference, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), supports, and barriers. You will gain a practical understanding of STS and will learn to integrate and apply healthy self-care principles to minimize the effects of STS on addiction workers and their clients.
Student Success Strategies
This course stresses the importance of developing non-technical skills to enhance personal, academic, and career success. The course will address strategies that are important for all adult learners, such as managing finances, maintaining health and wellness, understanding learning styles, setting goals, and honing practical study skills (such as memory, reading, and test-taking techniques). In addition, this course emphasizes strategies needed to succeed in your program, such as navigating technology efficiently, interacting and engaging with peers and facilitators/instructors, and managing learning time and space.
Theories of Addiction
This course is an essential component to the field of addictions. You will explore key trends, analyze statistical data, and examine the societal implications related to substance abuse. The curriculum encompasses theoretical frameworks, evidence-based treatment modalities, and practical strategies for both prevention and intervention, and process addiction. The course also covers an overview of drug classifications and the addictive effects of various drugs. This course invites you to critically examine the relevance of addiction in our society and its profound impact on individuals. You will receive an opportunity to obtain Naloxone Administration training.
Treatment Modalities
This course provides you with an in-depth exploration of therapeutic interventions for concurrent disorders, emphasizing psychosocial rehabilitation and community-based approaches. You will examine the valuable contributions of individuals with lived experience to recovery efforts and understand the importance of interdisciplinary professionals in providing comprehensive care. You will apply psychosocial rehabilitation (PSR) principles to enhance community participation and social inclusion for individuals with concurrent disorders. The course covers the integration of WRAP-Around (Wellness Recovery Action Plan) services into client support plans to promote holistic and individualized care. By the end of the course, you will refine the essential skills and knowledge needed to support individuals with concurrent disorders.
Admission Requirements
- Student has an Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent, OR is 18 years of age or older on or before the program begins AND can pass a qualifying test that has been approved by the Superintendent.
- The approved qualifying test for this program is the Wonderlic test. A passing score for this program is 18.
- Student must provide a clear Vulnerable Sector Check.
Career Quiz
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Success Stories
It was the best experience ever. I never thought I could do it, but I did! I am so proud of myself.
