Thinking About a Career in Mental Health and Addictions Care? Here’s What You Should Know:
Preparing for a career in mental health and addictions care involves building strong foundational knowledge alongside judgment, self-awareness and the ability to respond thoughtfully in complex, human situations. At Loyalist College, this perspective shapes how students are prepared for the field, guided by experienced faculty and applied learning that reflects community-based care.
If you’re considering a career in mental health and addictions care, here are three things worth knowing:
1. A major shift in mental health and addictions care is underway in our region.
When Belleville declared a state of emergency in 2024 after a surge in overdoses, it brought local pressures on mental health and addictions supports into focus. Since then, community service providers and organizations across Hastings and Prince Edward have been working together to create change and strengthen access to care.
One major development is the recent launch of the Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hub, part of Ontario’s commitment to opening 28 integrated hubs across the province. Instead of sending people in need through a maze of separate services, the hub model brings key supports under one safe, welcoming roof.
The Canadian Mental Health Association Hastings Prince Edward (CMHA HPE) has been instrumental in establishing a HART Hub in our community.
“With the HART Hub, our neighbours and the clients we serve can find hope through an easy-to-navigate path to recovery,” says Lisa Ali, CEO of CMHA Hastings Prince Edward. “This approach works because it’s been built by our community, for our community. As local services and programs continue to expand, the need for skilled professionals to fill these important roles has never been greater.”
With the Government of Canada forecasting labour shortages in mental health worker roles through at least 2033, it’s a field seeing growing demand both in our region and across Canada. The key takeaway? Services are growing, and so is the need for mental health workers who understand trauma and recovery.
2. Mental health professionals are trained to look beneath the surface.
Mental health and addictions professionals support people facing a wide range of challenges, from mental health concerns to housing instability and substance use. At Loyalist College, preparing students to enter the field means learning alongside faculty with extensive frontline experience — people who understand both the responsibility and the nuance this work demands.
Rebecca Bates, Coordinator for Loyalist’s Mental Health and Addictions Worker program, brings over a decade of experience in clinical and community mental health to her role at Loyalist, where she helps students to find their footing in the field.
“I support learners to look beyond the behaviour to see the fear, stress or trauma that might be driving it,” she explains. “They start to understand people in a completely different way. That shift is what helps them support someone with confidence and compassion.”
That perspective also shapes how learning happens in the classroom.
“We build a community in the classroom,” Bates adds. “Students share experiences, learn from one another, and practise the empathy and professional integrity that they can then apply to their work with clients.”
3. Loyalist College is now offering two new entry points into the field:
People come to mental health and addictions careers at different points in their lives. Some are just beginning to explore a role in community services. Others arrive with education or professional experience and a clear sense of how they want to contribute. Loyalist College’s programs are designed with that reality in mind, offering two new and distinct pathways into the field.
Mental Health and Addictions Worker – 2-year Ontario College Diploma
This diploma is a strong starting point for learners who are beginning their careers in human services. You’ll develop skills in trauma-informed practice, counselling, crisis response and case management, while learning how community systems connect and support one another.
A supervised field placement is a key part of the program, giving you hands-on experience in real-world settings such as community agencies, shelters, hospitals or crisis programs, helping you build confidence as you move from classroom learning into practice.
Addictions and Mental Health – 1-year Ontario College Graduate Certificate
Designed for learners with a diploma or degree, or those already working in health or social services, this post-graduate program offers learners a way to deepen their skills. The program emphasizes assessment, counselling approaches and supporting diverse populations as they navigate different care options.
Learning is delivered through a mix of synchronous online and asynchronous online learning, allowing for a flexible experience.
Across both programs, learning is practical and applied. Simulations allow students to practise navigating real-life situations in a supported learning environment before encountering them in the field. Students work through case studies and group-based activities, supported by guest speakers and placement experiences that reflect the realities of community mental health and addictions work.
Want to learn more? Check out Loyalist’s Mental Health and Addictions Worker or Addictions and Mental Health (Post-graduate) programs, chat with an advisor or book a visit.
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