Mental Health & Addictions Support Worker — Continuing Education
Deepen your knowledge of trauma-informed care, harm reduction, and crisis intervention — designed for professionals and practitioners working with individuals navigating addiction and mental health challenges.
What You’ll Learn
This continuing education program is designed to strengthen your understanding of substance use, mental health challenges, and co-occurring needs — building on your existing experience in community services, healthcare, or related fields.
This program equips you with essential skills in trauma-informed care, harm reduction, crisis intervention, motivational interviewing, and service navigation. Emphasis is placed on real-world practice, ethical decision-making, and client-centred support.
Is This For You?
This program is designed for:
This program is designed for individuals working in or connected to community services, healthcare, education, or related fields who want to strengthen their understanding of mental health and addictions support.
As someone already working in or near this field, this program helps you:
- Formalize your mental health and addictions knowledge with a recognized continuing education credential
- Formalize harm reduction and trauma-informed approaches you already practice
- Deepen your practice from general support work into specialized mental health and addictions knowledge
As someone entering this field for the first time, this program helps you:
- Build foundational knowledge in mental health and addictions support as you explore a new direction
- Build foundational skills in harm reduction, crisis intervention, and client engagement
- Gain confidence in mental health and addictions concepts and frameworks
As someone exploring whether this field is right for you, this program helps you:
- Explore mental health and addictions concepts before committing to a longer program
- Explore harm reduction and recovery support in 6 weeks
- See if supporting people through mental health challenges is your path
Why This Program
Strengthen your practice with current, evidence-informed approaches to mental health and addictions support.
Mental health and addictions support is among the fastest-growing areas of need in Ontario's community services sector. Professionals across shelters, community health centres, housing programs, and outreach agencies benefit from current training in trauma-informed care, harm reduction, motivational interviewing, and crisis intervention. This program strengthens those specific competencies.
Support clients through crisis
Apply trauma-informed and harm reduction approaches in real-world situations.
Navigate complex needs
Work with clients facing co-occurring mental health and substance use challenges.
Build practical intervention skills
Use motivational interviewing and de-escalation techniques with confidence.
Connect clients to resources
Navigate healthcare, housing, and community support systems effectively.
Save With a Pathway
Combined Course Pathways
This program is included in 4 pathways. Combine programs to save:
Dual Certificate: Shelter Support & Mental Health
Save $395- ✓ Shelter Support Worker 6 weeks
- ✓ Mental Health & Addictions Support Worker 6 weeks
Dual Certificate: Community Support & Mental Health
Save $395- ✓ Community Support Worker 6 weeks
- ✓ Mental Health & Addictions Support Worker 6 weeks
Dual Certificate: Crisis Intervention & Mental Health
Save $195- ✓ Crisis Intervention & De-Escalation 3 weeks
- ✓ Mental Health & Addictions Support Worker 6 weeks
5-Course Bundle
Save $1,280- ✓ Community Support Worker 6 weeks
- ✓ Shelter Support Worker 6 weeks
- ✓ Case Management 3 weeks
- ✓ Crisis Intervention & De-Escalation 3 weeks
- ✓ Mental Health & Addictions Support Worker 6 weeks
Prefer just this program? Enrol in Mental Health & Addictions Support Worker for $695 →
Many organizations have historically sponsored their employees for professional development programs. Please check with your employer if they can cover your fee. We can assist you with the necessary documentation and support.
If you require company approval, we offer a customizable email template that you can use to show how the program will contribute to your growth.
An invoice will be issued to you after payment. If you require any customization, our advisory team can assist you.
Our advisors are here to support you throughout the reimbursement process, whether your company covers the fee fully or partially.
Should your employer require specific information to approve your reimbursement, our advisory team is well-equipped to help you.
“I had a great experience completing this course. The content was well-structured, clear, and easy to follow. The lessons were informative and practical, helping me build a strong understanding of the subject.”
Earn a Verifiable Digital Certificate
Note: All certificate images are for illustrative purposes only and may be subject to change at the discretion of York College of Applied Studies.
Receive your official digital credential
When you complete the program, you’ll receive a secure, verifiable digital certificate issued by York College of Applied Studies. Your credential can be downloaded for your records, shared directly with employers, and added to your LinkedIn and other professional profiles to showcase your achievement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this program recognized professionally?
Can I complete this while working full-time?
Who is this program best suited for?
Is financial aid or payment plans available?
Can this program count toward further professional development?
Funding & Financial Support
ESDC-Certified Institution · Tuition eligible for federal tax credits
Can I get funding to cover the cost of this program?
What is Better Jobs Ontario and do I qualify?
Better Jobs Ontario (formerly Second Career) helps unemployed and low-income Ontarians retrain for in-demand careers. As of January 2026:
- Up to $28,000 for training under 52 weeks (including micro-credentials and certificates)
- Up to $35,000 for 1–2 year programs
- Covers tuition, books, transportation, living allowance, and dependent care
You may qualify if you’ve been laid off, unemployed for 12+ weeks, or are receiving EI, Ontario Works, or ODSP. Eligibility now also includes gig workers, newcomers, and self-employed individuals. All York College programs fall within the eligible duration.
Important: You must be approved through an Employment Ontario service provider before starting your training. Learn more →
What if I don’t qualify for government funding?
You still have options:
- Employer sponsorship — many employers cover tuition as professional development
- Canada Training Credit — refundable federal tax credit for Canadians 26–65 with earned income (eligible for our short certificates and micro-credentials)
- Tuition Tax Credit — claimable through T2202 for our vocational diploma programs
- Flexible payment plans — start now with a small initial payment
Consult a tax advisor or visit canada.ca for guidance on tax credit eligibility.
Will I receive a T2202 tax form?
Yes — for our vocational diploma programs. You’ll receive your T2202 by the end of February following the tax year, which can be used to claim the federal Tuition Tax Credit.
For our short certificate courses and micro-credentials, T2202 forms are not issued due to our self-paced format, but tuition may still qualify for the Canada Training Credit. Please consult a tax advisor or visit canada.ca for guidance.
How do I find out which funding options are available to me?
York College of Applied Studies is registered under the Ontario Career Colleges Act, 2005, by the Ministry of Colleges and Universities, and is certified by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC).
Resources for future mental health support workers
We can help you find the right path.
Tell us about your experience and interests — we’ll recommend a starting point. No pressure, no obligation.
“This course significantly enhanced my understanding of effective client interactions and de-escalating conflicts.”
— Sherene B., Shelter Support Worker Certificate ’26*This program does not require approval under the Ontario Career Colleges Act, 2005.
