Mental health and wellness are no longer just the responsibility of healthcare professionals. According to Government of Canada statistics, one in three Canadians will experience mental illness during their lifetime*. This means that whether you are working in healthcare, education, human services or business, you will likely work with employees, colleagues, students, clients and others who are facing mental health and wellness challenges. This certificate will help you understand what mental health is, explain some of the most common mental illnesses and provide you with the foundational skills to help you support your staff, clients and students.
Who should take this certificate: Anyone working or volunteering in a role where they interview, manage, support or advise people will benefit from this certificate, including allied health professionals, human resource professionals, teachers, organizational managers and leaders, nurses, clergy and student affairs professionals.
*Government of Canada. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/about-mental-illness.html
Completion Requirements
No application required. To complete the Counselling Skills for Mental Health certificate, you must select a minimum of seven workshop from the list to the right. You can complete this certificate in as little as one year or take up to seven years. You do not have to be working toward the Counselling Skills for Mental Health Certificate to take any of these workshops. These workshops can be taken in any order.
Participation and Attendance
Full attendance and participation are required to complete these workshops. Participants are requested, as much as possible, to have their cameras on. We know there are situations where this is not possible, so please send a message to your instructor or the Professional Development host to let them know that you are unable to turn on your camera. Our workshops are interactive and include breakout rooms, role play, group discussions and other activities. Participation is required.
Delivery Options
The Counselling Skills for Mental health certificate workshops are available remotely through Zoom.
Becoming a Therapist
Completing the Counselling Techniques certificate will not qualify you to practice therapy or register with any college or association, including the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers or the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. Please visit those websites for information on becoming a therapist in Ontario.
Contact Information
For more information about this certificate contact the Faculty of Social Work Professional Development office:
Email: fswprofessionaldevelopment@wlu.ca
Phone: 548-889-4967
See our Frequently Asked Questions for more information.