Why Graduate Diploma in Addiction and Mental Health?
Support recovery by treating more than just symptoms.
The relationship between addiction and mental illness is complex. Roughly half of those who experience a mental illness during their lifetime will also experience a substance use disorder, and vice versa. But it doesn’t have to be this way.
Research is helping us identify and better understand the underlying causes that drive addiction and mental illness, including genetic and other risk factors. We now need compassionate and skilled professionals – from all walks of life – who can translate these findings into best practice approaches to policy, healthcare, social and community support.
Whether you’re a medical practitioner, nurse, psychologist, social worker, pharmacist, educator or counsellor – you have a vital role to play. Step into a career that makes a real difference, helping people recover and rebuild their lives.
Overview
Unravel the complex relationship between addiction and mental illness and explore person-centred approaches to care in our Graduate Diploma in Addiction and Mental Health.
Taught by world-class researchers and practitioners who are experienced in the field, you’ll complete courses that explore the scientific bases of addiction, mental health and related comorbidities. Learn best practice, culturally safe approaches to care for a diverse range of client populations and contexts – from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, migrant cultures, adolescence, pregnancy and childbirth, and defence forces to other specialised areas.
Develop broad knowledge of the biological basis of addiction, including individual and community-based risk and protective factors. Examine of the sociological, cultural and political influences that influence addiction and mental health care professional practice and policy. Gain in-depth knowledge of the psychosocial and pharmacological approaches to treatment, alongside public health-driven approaches to prevention and harm reduction.
Emerge with the specialised skillset to lead best practice approaches in your professional field – whether that’s undertaking further research, developing public health policy, designing prevention or harm reduction initiatives or approaches to healthcare.