- Mental health and addiction counsellor
- Mental health and addiction case manager
- Crisis intervention worker
- Harm reduction worker
- Residential counsellor
Honours Bachelor of Mental Health and Addiction (BMHA)
About the Program
The Honours Bachelor of Mental Health and Addiction (BMHA) degree offers a comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach to understanding and addressing mental health and addiction issues. This program prioritizes effective interventions and support for individuals experiencing mental health challenges.
You will learn evidence-based therapeutic interventions designed to support individuals, families and communities with mental health and addiction issues. With a focus on recovery-oriented mental health services, the BMHA curriculum equips you to analyze how these interventions benefit individuals and families. You will delve into trauma-informed practices, develop case management skills and master effective communication and counselling techniques. Guided by the biopsychosocial frameworks and rooted within the social determinants of health, these practical skills will prepare you to assess and address the diverse needs of our communities.
Credential Awarded
Honours Bachelor Degree
Duration
8 Semesters (4 Years)
Starts
September
Program and Course Delivery
This program is offered in Seneca's hybrid delivery format with some courses available in Seneca's flexible delivery format. Some coursework is online and some must be completed in person. Students will need to come on campus to complete in-person learning requirements. For courses offered in the flexible delivery format, professors use innovative learning spaces and technology to teach students in a classroom or lab and broadcast in real time to students attending remotely. In flexible courses, students have the choice of coming on campus or learning online.
Skills
Throughout this program you will develop the following skills:
- Trauma-informed counselling
- Case management skills and interventions
- Critical thinking skills to assess, implement and evaluate a variety of mental health and addiction interventions designed to support an individual or family’s journey of recovery
- Offering mental health and addiction education that reflects the diversity of our communities
- Conducting research and evaluation related to health, mental health and addiction, including completion of a capstone project
Work Experience
Mandatory Degree Work Term
A work experience that includes at least one term in a formal work environment. The work term(s) may be a paid or unpaid position that is completed between two academic semesters and requires a minimum of 420 hours of work. Students must be in good standing and meet all identified requirements prior to participating in the work experience. The successful completion of the work term(s) is required for graduation. Eligibility for participation does not guarantee that a work position will be secured. Additional fees are required for the mandatory degree work term regardless of success in securing a work position.
Your Career
Graduates of the program can explore the following career options:
Professional Accreditation
The BMHA program is an approved formal education provider with the Canadian Addiction Counsellors Certification Federation (CACCF). This gold-standard certification provides graduates with the opportunity to become a Canadian Certified Addiction Counsellor.
Graduates may apply for their entry-level Associate Addictions Counselor (AAC) endorsement with proof of completed degree, referral letter from their Field Supervisor (obtained during Work Integrated Learning experience), signed cannon of CACCF code of ethics and payment of certification fee. Once graduates have obtained their AAC, they will receive the support of the CACCF to complete the educational and work requirements to obtain full certification.
Program of Study
| Course Code | Course Name | Weekly Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | ||
| CHM183 | Chemistry | 6 |
| ENG106 | Writing Strategies | 3 |
| LSO260 | Principles of Psychology 1 | 3 |
| LSP320 | Interpersonal Communications | 3 |
| SOC181 | Sociology of Health | 3 |
| Semester 2 | ||
| CMH182 | Diversity Building Resilience Health and Well-being | 3 |
| CMH282 | Income Security, Social Inclusion and Healthy Population | 3 |
| CMH383 | Counselling and Communication Skills | 3 |
| CMH581 | Indigenous Perspectives on Community Mental Health | 3 |
| PSY281 | Health Psychology | 3 |
| Semester 3 | ||
| CMH283 | Food and Shelter in Healthy Population | 3 |
| CMH381 | Group Dynamics | 3 |
| CMH484 | Therapeutic Approaches | 3 |
| PSY383 | Human Development | 3 |
| SOC380 | Addiction I | 3 |
| Semester 4 | ||
| CMH306 | Dynamics of the Family | 3 |
| CMH481 | Crisis Counselling | 3 |
| CMH483 | Trauma Methods and Practice in Community Mental Health | 3 |
| PSY482 | Critical Community Psychology | 3 |
| plus: Liberal Studies Course (1) | 3 | |
| Semester 5 | ||
| CMH583 | Social Justice and Health | 3 |
| CMH585 | Addictions II | 3 |
| CMH682 | Concurrent Disorders | 3 |
| STA683 | Applied Statistics in Social Sciences | 3 |
| WTP200 | Work Term Preparation | 1 |
| plus: Liberal Studies Course (1) | 3 | |
| Semester 6 | ||
| CMH584 | Health and Wellness Engagement | 3 |
| CMH681 | Community Mental Health Policy | 3 |
| CMH685 | Case Management | 3 |
| MHR774 | Research Methods | 3 |
| plus: Liberal Studies Course (1) | 3 | |
| Work-Integrated Learning Term | ||
| CMH881 | Community Mental Health, Work Term | 35 |
| Semester 7 | ||
| CMH771 | Hope, Resilience and Recovery | 3 |
| CMH772 | Madness and Sanity: A Continuum | 3 |
| CMH773 | Health, Promotion and Education | 3 |
| MHR884 | Research Project | 3 |
| plus: Liberal Studies Course (1) | 3 | |
| Semester 8 | ||
| CMH582 | Ethics and Community Mental Health | 3 |
| CMH880 | Contemporary Issues in Community Mental Health and Wellness | 3 |
| CMH882 | Funding Issues and Opportunities | 3 |
| CMH883 | Independent Study | 3 |
| plus: Liberal Studies Course (1) | 3 | |
- 1
This course will not fulfil a Liberal Studies requirement.
Seneca has been granted consent by the Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security to offer this degree for a seven-year term starting Dec. 9, 2022. In conformity with the Minister's criteria and requirements, Seneca will submit an application for the renewal of the consent for this program 12 months prior to the expiration of the consent. Seneca shall ensure that all students admitted to the above-named program during the period of consent will have the opportunity to complete the program within a reasonable time frame.
Program Learning Outcomes
This Seneca program has been validated by the Credential Validation Service as an Ontario College Credential as required by the Ministry of Colleges and Universities.
As a graduate, you will be prepared to reliably demonstrate the ability to:
- Analyze different theoretical frameworks used to explain the origins of mental health policy and practices within historical and social contexts in order to practice in a variety of settings.
- Apply strategies of critical theory to structure and institutions for the promotion of the health and wellness of individuals and communities.
- Develop advocacy strategies to create sustainable social change.
- Practice methods of engagement to promote healthy populations and protect human rights.
- Conduct research to promote community mental health and wellbeing.
- Analyze the relationship between social determinants of health, health policy and practice in community settings to inform services (planning and delivery) provided to individuals and communities.
- Create comprehensive documentation and records that adhere to legal, agency, professional and ethical standards.
- Assess evidence-based practices to create interventions that support healthy populations.
- Acknowledge the limits of knowledge in the field of community mental health through research and academic writing to broaden the scope of practice and engage in lifelong learning.
Admission Requirements
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent, including six Grade 12 U or M courses with a minimum overall average of 65%, or a mature applicant.
- Required courses with minimum final grade of 65% in each:
- English: Grade 12 ENG4U
Learn about Seneca’s free English upgrading course and math upgrading course for applicants who don’t meet the high school requirements, as well as recommended upgrading for applicants who don’t meet their academic subject requirements.
Additional Information
After admission but prior to field placement, you must obtain a Police Vulnerable Sector Check
Advanced Entry
Admission Requirements
Advanced entry offers a pathway for graduates from the following Ontario diploma/advanced diploma programs with a GPA of 70% or higher:
International Student Information
International admissions requirements vary by program and in addition to English requirements, programs may require credits in mathematics, biology, and chemistry at a level equivalent to Ontario’s curriculum, or a postsecondary degree or diploma, equivalent to an Ontario university or college. Program-specific pre-requisite courses and credentials are listed with the admission requirements on each program page. To review the academic requirements please visit: Academic Requirements - Seneca, Toronto, Canada (senecapolytechnic.ca).
Pathways
As a leader in academic pathways, we offer a range of options that will allow you to take your credential further in another Seneca program or a program at a partner institution.
To learn more about your eligibility, visit the Academic Pathways web page.