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Ministry-approved title: Honours Bachelor of Community Mental Health
ENTRANCE AWARD AVAILABLE
The National Mental Health Institute estimates that by the age of 40, one in two Canadians will have experienced mental illness. As the demand for mental health services continues to rise, the need for qualified practitioners is becoming more vital than ever.
Through a comprehensive mix of theoretical, research and applied courses, students will apply their knowledge in a mandatory 14-week, 420-hour experiential work placement, bridging the transition from the classroom to real-world experience. Graduates with a community mental health bachelor’s degree will be equipped with the knowledge and concrete skills to successfully enter community mental health roles in areas such as case management, crisis counselling, mental health promotion, addictions counselling, housing and advocacy consultancy, peer support, and residential youth work.
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Post-secondary courses in English will be considered
Durham College (DC) offers pre-admission assessment testing to mature domestic applicants to meet admission requirements in English and/or Math. Domestic applicants who are 19 years of age or older as of the start date of their program, and who do not have the required program credit(s), i.e. Grade 12 English and/or Grade 12 Math are eligible to take an admissions assessment test.
Learn more about how to book Pre-Admission Assessment Testing here.
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Durham College has been granted consent by the Ministry of Colleges and Universities to offer this applied degree for a seven-year term starting June 15, 2022. In conformity with the Minister’s criteria and requirements, DC will submit an application for the renewal of the consent for this program 12 months prior to the expiration of the consent. DC will ensure that all students admitted to this program will have the opportunity to complete the program within a reasonable time frame.
Graduates of the mental health and addictions program will be prepared to pursue diverse career opportunities in the field of community mental health, providing essential support to individuals and groups. With a strong foundation in mental health programs and hands-on experience, you’ll be equipped to make a meaningful impact in various roles across private, public, and non-profit sectors.
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Developed in response to the growing need for mental health services, this community mental health bachelor’s degree program prepares future practitioners with the skills and knowledge required to provide support and leadership within the evolving landscape of community mental health. This degree in mental health is uniquely designed to address the complexities of mental health and addictions, providing students with a specialized understanding of the challenges faced by individuals and communities.
The HBMH program has been developed by DC in collaboration with subject matter experts and representatives from the private, non-profit and government sectors ranging in services and agencies from community mental health, adult and youth court diversion counselling, developmental disabilities and concurrent disorders, gender-based counselling services, health care, addiction services and academics in the field. Students will study addiction and mental health courses that explore evidence-based interventions and strategies to support diverse populations.
Built on the foundations of psychology, health promotion, counselling, social justice and equity and social science, this mental health program will provide students with a strong cultural humility lens and thorough understanding of social factors to support the mental health of diverse populations, including immigrants, refugees, Indigenous peoples, women and 2SLGBTQ+ clients. The program also emphasizes the importance of addressing concurrent disorders and preparing students for roles in both prevention and treatment within community settings.
Through a comprehensive mix of theoretical, research and applied courses, students will apply their knowledge in a mandatory 14-week, 420-hour experiential work placement, bridging the transition from the classroom to real-world experience. This hands-on experience ensures graduates are well-prepared to meet the demands of mental health programs in diverse professional environments.
Graduates will be equipped with the knowledge and concrete skills to successfully enter community mental health roles in areas such as case management, crisis counselling, mental health promotion, addictions counselling, housing and advocacy consultancy, peer support, and residential youth work. With this degree in mental health, students will be ready to make a meaningful impact in mental health and addiction programs across various sectors.
The courses listed below are for incoming students. If you are a current student, please refer to your program of study for the year you began your program. Your program of study can be found on MyDC.
Courses, course descriptions and delivery formats are subject to change.
In person
Students will come to campus to complete in-person learning requirements. Detailed schedules, with course-specific delivery information, will be available after registration. Courses, course descriptions and delivery formats are subject to change.
Earning a bachelor’s degree in community mental health opens the door to a wide range of career opportunities in this growing field. As a graduate, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge and practical skills to address complex challenges in mental health programs and provide support to individuals and communities dealing with issues such as concurrent disorders, addictions, and crisis situations. From case management and crisis counseling to mental health promotion and advocacy consultancy, the mental health and addictions program prepares you for impactful roles that emphasize equity, cultural humility, and evidence-based practices. Whether working in addiction care, housing support, or residential youth work, you’ll be ready to help meet the increasing demand for skilled professionals in the mental health sector.
School is an investment in your future, and financial support is available to help you succeed.
DC's Financial Aid and Awards is here to help you access funding and opportunities that make pursuing your education easier and more achievable:
Visit Financial Aid and Awards to explore all the options to help finance your education.
Students will have the opportunity to gain work-integrated learning experience in a supervised setting through a 14-week, 420-hour mandatory field placement between the sixth and seventh semesters. Field placement is an integral part of this bachelor’s degree program that allows the integration of field work with academic studies to enable students to better understand the practical application of methods and techniques for organizing activities and working collaboratively in the field.
Please note: There are costs associated with Electronic Student Permit Checking (ESPC), immunizations, lab tests and certifications. Be sure to keep all of your receipts for income tax purposes. These costs include:
It is required that students have completed the ESPC with Verified to be eligible for the field placement component of this mental health program. You must (at your expense) provide:
Graduates will be well-prepared to pursue further graduate study in community mental health, counselling psychology or related fields, including the Master of Counselling Psychology degree program at the University of Western Ontario and graduate education programs at Carleton University and Sir Wilfrid Laurier University.
Looking for more pathway opportunities or to transfer to Durham College? Click here for more information.
All eligible applicants to the Honours Bachelor of Community Mental Health degree program for the upcoming academic year, with a combined minimum non-weighted average of 75 percent and higher, will be considered to receive a first-year entrance award:
For more information, please contact Admission Services.
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