Bachelor of Social Health and Wellbeing (Mental Health and Addictions)

The degree focuses on innovative and future orientated health and wellbeing practices that improve the quality of life for the people who use your services and for their family/whānau.

Vaccination Information

What you will learn

When you achieve this qualification, you will be able to:

• Apply a people-centred approach which enables people to form relationships and participate in their community in order to have meaningful lives
• Work relationally with people, their family/whānau and communities to negotiate appropriate community-based support
• Work collaboratively and communicate effectively in teams and across services in a health and wellbeing context
• Critically evaluate and apply theories and appropriate models of health and wellbeing (including indigenous models) to understand peoples’ lives and circumstances
• Critically evaluate information in order to inform innovative, evidence-based, people-centred support
• Understand the changing role of information and communications technologies in the health and wellbeing sector for both individuals and organisations
• Recognise and apply Te Tiriti o Waitangi in a health and wellbeing context
• Engage in culturally responsive, safe, and ethical practice while effectively managing risk
• Critically reflect on practice to support, improve and manage own performance and professional development, and use supervision effectively 
• Demonstrate leadership within organisations, which includes a commitment to best practice and on-going professional development
• Demonstrate leadership within the community, which includes advocating for social justice and change; supporting inclusion, choice and control; and challenging stigma and discrimination
• Understand organisational budgeting, financial planning, service design and evaluation for the health and wellbeing sector, in the context of competing political, social and organisational demand

 Career opportunities 

This qualification is ideal if you are currently working in or interested in beginning a career in the mental health and addiction sector.

If you are interested in working in the addiction intervention field, learners who have successfully completed all courses in this qualification are eligible to enrol in OP7803 Graduate Certificate in Addiction Intervention. Upon successful completion of both qualifications learners will be considered eligible for provisional dapaanz registration.

You can find out more about the Graduate Certificate here:

Graduate Certificate in Addiction Intervention

Potential employment roles may include: Addictions Counsellor, Mental Health and Addiction Support Worker, Care Manager, Community Navigator, Connector/Kaitūhono Facilitator, Policy Development, Health Educator and Promoter, Support Worker, Care Manager, Health Educator and Promoter. Community Development Worker, Social Work Assistant, Public Health Manager or Administrator, Hospital/NGO Service Administrator, Case Worker/Manager, Programme Coordinator, Policy Development

Contact Time

This degree includes a number of compulsory workshops, noho marae and practica. These include:

• a three-day noho marae for 77120 – Te Ao  Māori and Social Practice
• online hui practice skills workshops for Level 6 and Level 7 courses as part of preparing you for your practicum.

We plan to hold the noho marae in Wellington. You need to cover your own travel costs to attend. Accommodation is provided.

Check out the upcoming dates here

Practica

As part of this qualification, you need to complete and are assessed on 300 hours of supervised practice while on practica. You will do this as part of the following courses:

• BHW601 Practicum 1 a Level 6, 20 credit course with a two-day workshop (online hui for 2021) and 100 hours of practicum experience
• BHW702 Practicum 2 a Level 7, 40 credit course with a three-day workshop (online hui for 2021) and 200 hours of practicum experience.

Where you will complete your practicum is decided on a case-by-case basis. Your programme leader will do this in consultation with you and the agency.

Maximum Programme Completion Time

To be awarded the qualification, the programme must be completed in no more than 8 years of first enrolment, unless there are exceptional circumstances.

For more information, please check out the Bachelor of Social Health and Wellbeing FAQ page

Bachelor of Social Health and Wellbeing FAQs