This course is for people who would like to be Peer Support Workers or Family Peer Support Workers in the area of mental health. This course will help develop your knowledge and skills in order to develop your practice as peer support workers in mental health inpatient and community settings.
This Certificate will help you enhance your existing strengths and skills so you can make a greater impact in your role. On this course you will;
- Examine the latest trends and developments nationally and internationally in recovery orientated mental health practice,
- Explore the historical, statutory and policy framework in which the Irish Mental Health Service operates within,
- Understand the core principles, competencies and practices of peer support working
- Understand the principles of the individualised nature of recovery and a person centred approach,
- Engage in reflective practice, supervision and support structures to maintain fidelity to the role of professional peer support working.
The philosophy of the programme is underpinned by; intentional emancipatory education; utilisation of lived experience; a facilitated (as opposed to didactic) learning process; and the pursuit of practical wisdom. The ‘co-operative learning’ approach is one that has been developing in the School of Nursing and Human Sciences since 2007.
Scholarship Fund
The MHI Tony Leahy Scholarship for the Certificate in Peer Support Working in Mental Health is a joint collaboration between Mental Health Ireland and School of Nursing and Human Sciences Dublin City University.
Scholarships are awarded up to a maximum of 50% of course fees with up to 40 individual Scholarships awarded by Mental Health Ireland each year for various programmes. Tony Leahy Scholarship Awards are competitive, may vary and strict eligibility criteria will apply.
Eligibility and Selection Criteria
There are two key selection criteria which Mental Health Ireland will apply in order to determine eligibility. These are:
- Membership of one of Mental Health Ireland’s two Target Groups (listed below)
- Quality and relevance of information included in the Personal Statement.
Mental Health Ireland will prioritise applications received from the following target groups listed below in order of descending priority, where Group 1 receives highest priority.
Group 1: Peers/ persons having self-experience of mental health difficulties.
Group 2: Family members /Carers of people who use the mental health services.
- In any year, should the number of equally eligible applicants exceed the number of Scholarship Awards available, a lottery system will then apply.
- As funding is limited not everyone who applies will receive a scholarship.
- Applicants for the scholarship will be informed by the end of August, in advance of the programme starting as to the outcome of their scholarship application.
Awarding body: Dublin City University
Duration: The Certificate consists of three modules delivered on a part-time basis over two semesters. The course involves attendance in two-day blocks every two weeks during semester 1(10 in total) and once a month (6 days in total) in semester 2 and 16 days on-line work through Loop.
Course Fees:€2,000
Award: Undergraduate Certificate, NFQ level 8 (Special Purpose Award) 30 ECTS
Course Content
- Models of peer support and practice skills conducive to the facilitation of support and recovery for people with mental health problems and their family members.
- Multidisciplinary roles and functions in mental health services provision and potential place of peer support workers in this system
- HSE infrastructure, policy and professional practice guidelines that apply to all mental health workers in mental health services.
- The historical context of evolving mental health policy and practice in relation to diverse models applied to mental health difficulties and service/professional response
- Recovery in relation to contemporary mental health care and national and international standards for the rights of people with disability and mental health and their families.
- Variety of underpinning philosophies of psychology, sociology and community development in relation to self and group systems.
- Styles of leadership in relation to individual abilities and competencies in judgement and decision making
- Interpersonal & leadership skills and processes and propose solutions that are effective in groups and community engagement
- Effectiveness of community resources in relation to self and community development
- The responsibility of the individual and group in supporting/facilitating community learning and development
Is this course for me?
- This course is for people who would like to be Peer Support Workers or Family Peer Support Workers in the area of mental health. This course will help develop your knowledge and skills in order to develop your practice as peer support workers in mental health inpatient and community settings.
- Peer Support Workers will have a previous history of mental health problems and be in recovery or recovered. Family Peer Support Workers will have experience of supporting someone with mental health problems.
- Prospective Students must secure a placement as a peer support worker or a family peer support worker for 19 hours a week (paid or unpaid) for the duration of the course (October – April). The placement can be in a voluntary or statutory services but there must be a placement supervisor to support the peer support worker while engaging in peers support work.
Who runs this course?
- The School of Nursing and Human Sciences Dublin City University.
Where and when is it held?
- Commencing September 2019, the Certificate consists of three modules delivered on a part-time basis over two semesters. The course involves attendance in two-day blocks every two weeks during semester 1(10 in total) and once a month (6 days in total) in semester 2 and 16 days on-line work through Loop.
- The course is delivered in Dublin City University, Dublin 9
For more information and to apply go to: https://www.dcu.ie/courses/Undergraduate/snhs/Certificate-Peer-Support-Working-Mental-Health.shtml#tab5
Further information contact
Martha Griffin
Programme Chair for the Certificate in Peer Support Working in Mental Health
Address: School of Nursing & Human Sciences Room H236
Dublin City University, Dublin 9
Telephone: 017007861
Email: martha.griffin@dcu.ie
