Mental Health

Mental Health and Addiction Pathway Development

Careerforce is presently developing  career pathways for the Mental Health and Addiction (MHA) support workforce. This project includes a review of the current National Certificate and National Diploma of Mental Health Support Work.

Click here for the latest update on this project

National Certificate in Mental Health Support Work (level 4)

The National Certificate in Mental Health Support Work (Level 4) is designed to be a minimum qualification for people who wish to enter mental health support work, or who already work as paid or unpaid mental health support workers.

The National Certificate acknowledges the skills of those already in the workplace who are working in a collaborative manner alongside consumers/tangata whaiora and their whanau, family and friends supporting them on their journey to recovery.

Click here for more information on the National Certificate in Mental Health Support Work (Level 4) (Page 1)

Click here to access the compulsory reading for unit standard 13429 (Describe mental health and illness, and approaches to treatment of mental illness)

National Diploma in Mental Health Support Work (level 6)

The National Diploma in Mental Health Support Work (Level 6) is designed for people who have already developed or wish to develop a higher level of competence in mental health support work than is covered by 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 whaiora.

Click here for more information on the National Diploma in Mental Health Support Work (Level 6) (Page 2)

Training Providers offering Mental Health Qualifications

Click here for names of education providers offering the Mental Health Support Work National Certificate and Diploma

National Mental Health Support Workers Training Grant

Do you know that mental health support workers can access a study grant to fund their tuition fees for the National Certificate and National Diploma in Mental Health Support Work?

The National Mental Health Support Workers Training Grant is funded by the Ministry of Health (MOH) and administered by Careerforce.

To qualify for the grant mental health support workers must:

• Be enrolled by an NZQA accredited Tertiary Education Organisation (TEO) in the National Certificate in Mental Health (Mental Health Support Work) (Level 4) V5 or the National Diploma in Mental Health (Mental Health Support Work (Level 6) V1.
• Be employed (paid or volunteer) in a mental health service funded by the District Health Board (DHB)/Ministry of Health (MOH).
• Be in a role that is relevant to mental health support work.
• Have an employer who is supportive of their application for a training grant.
• Not have their tuition fees paid by other benefits or other scholarships (excluding student loans).  NB
• Where employers have funded training, employees are able to apply for the grant (if other criteria are met) and nominate that their employer receives the grant in reimbursement.
• Be a New Zealand citizen or New Zealand permanent resident and provide photocopied evidence.

Click here to download an application form

Completed application forms should be faxed or posted to:

Careerforce (Community Support Services ITO Ltd)
P O Box 25 255
354 Armagh Street
Christchurch
T:         0800 937 877 (Mental Health)
F:         03 371 9285

If you require any further information please do not hesitate to make contact on 0800 937 877 or mentalhealth@careerforce.org.nz