The National Certificate in Mental Health Support Work

(Level 4)

Who can do this qualification?

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.

This 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 to support them on their journey to recovery.

Is the qualification full or part-time?

The National Certificate in Mental Health Support Work (Level 4): Is delivered as a full-time qualification that takes place over one-year. During this time the student may be asked to attend class up to a maximum of two days per week. Alternatively the qualification is delivered on a part-time basis by a small number of training providers and extramurally through the Open Polytechnic of New Zealand. This is usually takes place over two-years.

What will I learn when doing the qualification?

The National Certificate in Mental Health Support Work (Level 4) consists of 122 credits gained through the National Qualifications Framework (NQF)

You will learn:

• About Te Tiriti o Waitangi in mental health support work.
• Self awareness for mental health support work.
• To understand mental health, illness and approaches to treatment of mental illness.
• To effectively participate in a group or team to achieve mental health support work objectives.
• To participate effectively in supervision as a mental health support worker.
• How to support a consumer/tangata whai ora to implement their recovery plan.
• How to integrate knowledge, skills, values and learning into mental health support work.
• How to establish relationships with whanau in mental health support work.
• How to provide support for a mental health consumer/tangata whaiora who is using alcohol or other drugs.
• To understand discrimination and social exclusion and how it impacts on the consumer/tangata whaiora.
• How to provide information and education to families and whanau.
• How to establish relationships with Pacific people in mental health support work.
• To understand and implement consumer/tangata whaiora rights in mental health support work.
• To understand and develop relationship skills with consumers/tangata whaiora.
• How to respond to incidents and prepare an incident report in mental health support work.
• How to network in the community and support a mental health consumer/tangata whaiora access services.
• How to protect health and safety in the workplace.

What is the cost?

The cost of the National Certificate in Mental Health Support Work (Level 4) varies between Accredited Training Providers. Please contact your local training provider for details.

Is there financial assistance available to subsidise the tuition fees?

The National Mental Health Support Workers (NMHSW) Training Grant is administered by Careerforce (Community Support Services ITO Ltd) to provide financial assistance towards tuition fees for students who meet the eligibility criteria. The NMHSW Training Grant application form and eligibility criteria Link No. 3

How will my employer benefit if they support me to do this qualification?

Your employer will gain a qualified skilled staff member who will be capable and competent in the principles of recovery and all aspects of mental health support work.