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Mental Health Micro-Credentials

Training for the Modern Workplace

Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences and Ontario Tech University’s Continuous Learning department have partnered to address critical gaps in mental health training through a skills-first, workforce-aligned approach.

Co-created by clinical experts and educators, this suite of online, asynchronous mental health micro-credentials equips nurses and allied health professionals with practical, evidence-based skills that directly improve patient care. Each micro-credential is co-developed by Ontario Shores subject-matter experts and instructional designers to ensure clinical relevance, academic quality, and immediate application in practice.

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The Challenge

Addressing gaps in mental health training

Health systems are facing a growing demand for specialized mental health care, yet:

  • Mental health specialty training is limited in many undergraduate and college programs
  • Clinicians lack access to structured, competency-based upskilling
  • Employers need flexible, cost-effective workforce development solutions

These gaps impact workforce readiness, care quality, and patient outcomes.

The Solution

Skills-first, competency-based micro-credentials

This partnership delivers a comprehensive suite of accredited mental health micro-credentials that:

  • Strengthen clinical competencies in real-world settings
  • Support clinicians to work at the top of their professional scope
  • Improve workforce readiness at a lower cost to the sector
  • Elevate mental health care across the continuum

Improving patient care through professional learning

72.3%
of learners agree that they can now apply mental health pharmacology knowledge to patient interactions adequately without guidance or support.
85%
of learners felt the course they completed would be valuable to improve patient care at their place of work (comparable across the topics).

Canadian Nurses Association Accredited 

The CNA Accreditation Program upholds standards of quality for professional development for nurses in Canada. By accrediting
our learning activity through CNA, we are demonstrating to nurses that this program has been subject to a rigorous quality
assessment and has achieved nationwide recognition.

Featured Courses Include:
  • Mental Health Pharmacology*
  • Mental Status Assessment*
  • Trauma-Informed Care*
  • Common Mental Illnesses - Assessment and Documentation*
  • Crisis Prevention, De-escalation & Debriefing
  • Forensics in Mental Health

*Indicates CNA-accredited

 

 

cna logo

The curriculum

Skills-focused learning

LEARN MORE - Skills-focused learning

The curriculum emphasizes competency-based learning, ensuring learners demonstrate real-world skills rather than simply completing knowledge tests. Learners gain practical capabilities they can apply directly in their professional environments.

Personalized learning experience

LEARN MORE - Personalized learning experience

Participants follow personalized learning pathways through targeted micro-credentials aligned with their role, unit, or long-term career goals. Throughout the courses, live skills coaches provide guidance, facilitate discussions, and support competency development.

Evidence informed content

LEARN MORE - Evidence informed content

Course content is grounded in evidence-based practice and reviewed regularly to ensure relevance. The curriculum is refreshed every three years to reflect evolving clinical standards and current best practices in care.

Are these courses for you?

Learn More - Are these courses for you?

These mental health micro-credentials are designed for:

  • Registered Nurses (RN), Registered Practical Nurses (RPN), Nurse Practitioners (NP)
  • Allied health professionals working in mental health
  • New and existing Ontario Shores staff
  • External healthcare professionals across Ontario, including Campbellford and Northumberland Hills
nurses standing around patient

Course Highlights

  • 25 mental health micro-credentials
  • Supported by live Skills Coaches or a Marker-Graders
  • Available via individual enrolment or bulk-seat purchasing
  • Designed for scalable workforce development
  • OSAP eligible for micro-credentials
  • Receive a digital micro-credential badge upon successful completion, issued by Ontario Tech University

This micro-credential was easy to grasp, presented well and was very informational. I feel like prior to this course, I had the knowledge regarding trauma informed care but not to the extent I do now after completing the course.

 Trauma Informed Care Learner

Clear, understandable, great format, excellent videos. All clinicians would benefit from the materials taught and the considerations we should be using when working with our most vulnerable populations.

 Trauma Informed Care Learner

I think the course is a good review for intermediate and master levels as well as a good introduction for the beginner to help them have a good base for conducting a Mental Status Assessment. 

 Mental Status Assessment Learner
Addictions and Concurrent Disorders

Addictions and Concurrent Disorders

In this micro-credential, learners build practical skills to support individuals with substance use or concurrent disorders using Motivational Interviewing, stigma reduction, and the OARS framework to enhance engagement.
Adolescents And Mental Health Interventions

Adolescents And Mental Health Interventions

In this micro-credential, learners develop skills to support adolescent mental health by building rapport, setting boundaries, addressing biases, and creating safety plans to promote recovery and well-being.

Behavioural Interventions in Mental Health

Behavioural Interventions in Mental Health

In this micro-credential, learners develop skills to observe, document, and analyze behaviour using ABA principles to inform interventions and improve patient outcomes.

Building Inclusive and Equitable Practices within Mental Health

Building Inclusive and Equitable Practices within Mental Health

In this micro-credential, learners develop skills to provide inclusive, equitable mental health care by understanding intersectionality and using respectful communication to support diverse patient needs.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

In this micro-credential, learners build foundational skills to support individuals with mood and anxiety disorders using CBT techniques like psychoeducation, goal setting, and exposure to improve mental well-being.

Common Mental Illnesses Assessment and Documentation

Common Mental Illnesses Assessment and Documentation

In this micro-credential, learners develop skills to recognize and assess common mental illnesses, apply appropriate interventions, and document effectively to support continuity of care and improve outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Interested in training for yourself, strengthening your hiring pipeline, upskilling your current employees or promoting the courses to your workforce?

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Learn more about the program