Campus
Duration
8 Semesters (4 Years)
Credential Awarded
Honours Bachelor Degree

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.

About the Program

The Honours Bachelor of Mental Health and Addiction (BMHA) degree offers you a holistic and interdisciplinary approach to the study of mental health and addictions. You will learn about the social determinants of health, social justice and biopsychosocial frameworks to gain theoretical knowledge and practical experience in the delivery of mental health and addictions services.

The program’s focus on recovery-oriented mental health equips you with essential skills to analyze how services benefit individuals, families and communities. In this program, you will explore a range of topics and evidence-based practices related to mental health and addictions including therapeutic approaches, trauma informed practices, case management, communication and counselling techniques and social determinants of health to promote healthy communities.

The BMHA program is accredited by the Canadian Addiction Counsellors Certification Federation. This gold standard certification provides graduates with the opportunity to become a Canadian Certified Addiction Counsellor.

Advanced Entry

Graduates of a diploma program may be eligible to complete this degree faster through one of our pathway options.

Skills

Throughout this program you will develop the following skills:

  • implement individual and community needs assessment plans
  • administer health and mental health education strategies, interventions and programs
  • conduct evaluation and research related to health and mental health
  • demonstrate critical thinking skills to assess recovery-oriented support services

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 completed between two academic semesters and require a minimum of 420 hours of work. The positions in this sector are typically unpaid. 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:

  • Addiction counsellor
  • Addiction worker
  • Harm reduction worker
  • Crisis intervention worker
  • Mental health worker
  • Overdose response worker
  • Addiction case worker
  • Addiction community worker

Success Stories

"I decided to pursue the Social Service Worker program at Seneca because I wasn’t exactly sure which avenue of education to go down. After some research, I found that social work was the ideal discipline to dive into more niche areas of study. The Honours Bachelor of Community Mental Health degree program was much more intensive, but my diploma program provided me with the educational foundation that I required.”

Alex Pley
Graduate, Social Service Worker & Honours Bachelor of Community Mental Health

Read Alex’s Success Story


"The BMHA program provided an exceptional education, crucial support and flexibility, allowing me to balance my studies with a busy schedule. I embraced the BMHA program's holistic and interdisciplinary approach to mental health and addiction, gaining the essential skills and knowledge needed for this field. I plan to continue my community work and explore private practice opportunities.”

Kait Stamcos
Graduate, Honours Bachelor of Mental Health and Addiction

Read Kait's Success Story


"I am a very proud two-time Seneca Polytechnic alumna. My experience navigating through each credential has left me feeling empowered and competent. I am continuously inspired by the fieldwork and vast experience of my professors. Each of them took the time to share their experiential learnings with me. I felt heard, included, and validated in all my courses. I was given space to ask questions and respectfully challenge what we were learning. The co-learning environment welcomed all ideas and perspectives.”

Harmony Adzido
Graduate, Social Service Worker – Immigrants and Refugees and Honours Bachelor of Mental Health and Addiction


"I chose to study at Seneca because this was the only school in Canada that offered a program with the specific intersection of front-line social service work with larger aspects of society and governance. Seneca is also known for embracing students at different phases of life. As a mature student I think the faculty and staff have been wonderful in creating an open and welcoming environment for learning.  Plus, the campus was conveniently located.”

Suzanne Ross
Fourth Year Student, Honours Bachelor of Mental Health and Addiction

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