Growing need for mental health services

An increasing number of people either have a mental disorder or are at risk of developing one. Authorities and professionals want to enhance expertise in the field in order to address this problem. The further education programme in mental health work is an interdisciplinary study programme that seeks to meet the growing need for competent mental health workers.

The study programme is specifically aimed at professionals who work with people with various types of mental health problems. Mental health work is carried out in the primary care services as well as in the specialist health service, and includes health promotion, prevention, treatment and rehabilitation.

Why choose further education in mental health work?

• There is a great need to increase the focus on mental health
• The study programme is specifically aimed at professionals who work with people with various types of mental health problems and challenges in a life cycle perspective
• Ensures a common basis of understanding for various professional groups working in the field
• Increases collaboration opportunities
• Improves the coordination of services
• We focus on interdisciplinary psychosocial specialization
• Eight weeks of service user-oriented project practice
• Extensive, broad experience in executing the study programme
• Good learning environment

Career opportunities

There is a large demand in the labour market for healthcare workers. You will find professionals with further education in mental health work in the primary care services for mental health, municipal day centres, housing guidance services, NAV, psychiatric wards, district psychiatric centres, drug and alcohol dependency units and in services aimed at children and young people.

Students’ employers can apply for financial support

Local and county authorities who employ students studying for this qualification can apply for education and innovation grants from their County Governor. The aim of the scheme is to incentivize employers to enhance the skills of the local workforce, as well as provide financial support during the study period. It is important that your employer applies to the County Governor for a wage grant in early spring (before your place on the programme is confirmed) in order to offset some of the expenses associated with your studies. More details are available here.

Incorporation into a Master’s degree

The further education programme can be counted towards the first part of the Master’s degree in Health-promoting Relational Work, which will start in autumn 2020.