Undergraduate Certificate in Indigenous Mental Health

If you're passionate about pursuing a career in mental health and want to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities, this undergraduate certificate is the perfect starting point.

In this six-month course you will learn about the factors that contribute to mental health and how holistic practice can enable care and treatment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

You'll learn the signs and symptoms of common mental health disorders -
including mood affective disorders such as depression, bipolar and anxiety disorders - and the association between trans-generational trauma and depression among Stolen Generations peoples.

You'll also examine human developmental milestones, from conception to adulthood, and consider the implications of trauma and adverse childhood experiences on these milestones.

For your final unit, you can choose to study Australian Health and Political Systems or Indigenous Public Health and Health Promotion.

Australian Health and Political Systems analyses Australia's political system and representation by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Indigenous Public Health and Health Promotion explores learning styles, beliefs and attitudes that are significant to health-related behaviours.

After completing this undergraduate certificate, you'll qualify for entry into these courses:

• Bachelor of Applied Science (Indigenous Professional Practices), Indigenous Australian Mental Health Principles and Practice major
• Bachelor of Science (Health Sciences), Indigenous Mental Health specialisation.

Select the course that best suits your interests. Both courses offer a seamless pathway from the undergraduate certificate to your new career in healthcare. You'll also receive credit for completing the undergraduate certificate, reducing the number of units needed to gain your degree.

• apply principles and concepts of Indigenous Mental Health in a variety of contexts relevant to further learning and/or paraprofessional work
• apply critical and creative thinking and problem solving skills relevant to Indigenous Mental Health to generate innovative solutions to problems
• use technology appropriately to communicate effectively with patients, carers and other health care professionals
• consider global perspectives on Indigenous Mental Health and international Indigenous Mental Health standards
• demonstrate respect for Indigenous values, cultures and knowledges and consider Indigenous perspectives on Indigenous Mental Health
• work professionally in teams and independently, and demonstrate life-long learning skills