Beginner
Understanding Co-occurring Disorders: Mental Health and Substance Use
An 8-hour beginner-level course for Canadian health and helping professionals that introduces foundational concepts, assessment tools, integrated treatment approaches, and culturally safe, trauma-informed care for people with co-occurring (concurrent) mental health and substance use disorders. Content is grounded in Canadian guidelines (CAMH, BCCSU, CRISM) and includes practical case work and a final assessment.
Lifetime accessCertificate of completion20 lessonsMobile & desktop
Trauma-Informed CareCultural CompetencyConcurrent DisordersAssessment & Screening
$80CAD
8 CEU hrs
What you'll learn
Describe key terminology, prevalence, and the health system context for co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders in Canada.
Use brief screening tools and conduct safety-focused assessment and triage appropriate for primary care and front-line settings.
Apply principles of integrated, evidence-informed treatment (psychosocial, pharmacotherapy, harm reduction) and culturally safe, trauma-informed practice with care coordination strategies.
Requirements
- Basic clinical background (counsellor, social worker, nurse, or allied health) or working experience with clients who may have mental health or substance use concerns
- Familiarity with basic clinical interviewing and professional scopes of practice in your province/territory
Who this course is for
- Counsellors and social workers
- Nurses and primary care providers
- Recovery workers and addiction clinicians
- Allied health and front-line staff (harm reduction programs, shelters, community mental health)
