Why study mental health with ECU Online?

  • Earn your master’s degree faster—100% online

    Advance your career with a fully online Master of Mental Health, designed for flexibility and convenience. Complete your degree in as little as 18 months while balancing work and life commitments. Whether you're studying from home, commuting or taking a lunch break, you’ll stay connected with expert academics, dedicated support services and a strong student community.​
  • Turn knowledge into action—apply skills immediately​

    Gain hands-on experience through a work-integrated research project tailored to your career aspirations. Tackle real-world mental health challenges, design innovative evidence-based solutions, and build skills that have an immediate impact in your workplace.
  • A unique perspective on social and community wellbeing

    Go beyond traditional mental health models with an interdisciplinary approach that integrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander wellbeing practices. Explore ancient healing methods, cultural reflexivity and strengths-based care. Develop a deep understanding of the mental health crisis and the systemic factors shaping individual and community wellbeing.
  • Upskilling opportunity for any professional

    Mental health plays a crucial role in every workplace—meaning you can make a meaningful impact. This course equips you with practical knowledge and adaptable strategies to address mental health at both individual and societal levels. Learn to apply ethical frameworks, shape modern mental health practices and tailor interventions to your specific industry or role.

What you will learn

With ECU’s online Master of Mental Health, you’ll become a catalyst for change, shaping a future where mental wellbeing is prioritised.

  • Critically analyse and apply a comprehensive, evidence-based understanding of interdisciplinary mental health knowledge to support positive mental health outcomes across various professional roles and contexts.
  • Develop critical thinking, creativity, and digital skills to research, assess, and design inclusive, culturally sensitive, and ethical strategies to enhance mental health in workplaces.
  • Demonstrate effective communication and collaboration skills to contribute to enhanced mental health outcomes for clients, communities, and workplaces.
  • Develop advanced self-management, reflective practice, and research skills to prioritise self-care, engage in independent learning, and undertake significant mental health intervention projects.

 

What you will study

The online Master of Mental Health consists of eight core units:

Introduction to Mental Health and Wellbeing

This unit provides a comprehensive understanding of mental health across different populations and life stages, emphasising biopsychosocial and cultural dimensions to equip students with the knowledge to support diverse client and organisational needs in evolving mental health care contexts.

Trauma-informed and Recovery-Oriented Mental Health Care

This unit equips students with the necessary skills and an in-depth understanding of trauma-informed and recovery-oriented approaches to enable effective mental health care considering peer support, relapse prevention, and community integration.

Acute Mental Health and Crisis Intervention

This unit examines the dynamics of mental health crises, psychiatric emergencies, and issues related to mental health which require an acute response.

Community Approaches to Mental Health

This unit examines the collaborative service delivery model in mental health care, emphasising accessibility, socio-economic factors, and the role of non-government and private providers, while advocating for person- centred, culturally sensitive approaches that incorporate community-led responses and lived experiences.

Leadership and Workplace Mental Health

This unit develops students' practical skills in community engagement, diplomacy, and coaching, crucial for effective leadership in the Australian human services sector. Students learn to plan, implement, and evaluate strategies to support mental health for diverse populations.

Grounding Self: Cultural Ways of Wellbeing

This unit immerses students in Indigenous perspectives on trauma and wellbeing, teaching cultural reflexivity and integration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander wisdom into mental health practice for holistic personal and professional development.

Mental Health in Everyday Life Research Project

In this research unit, students undertake a research project on a contemporary mental health intervention to create an innovative and evidence-based solution for real-world mental health challenges.

Healthy Work and Wellbeing

The unit explores workplace culture, mental health and work stressors, as well as positive workplace behaviour, and how these impact employee health and wellbeing. Interventions and mechanisms for promoting healthy workplaces and employee wellbeing will also be examined.

 

Students must also complete one of the following elective units:

Mental Health Counselling

This unit explores the impact of mental health issues on individuals, families, and communities, covering common problems and support strategies. It introduces interventions and assessment tools, emphasising legal and ethical boundaries, and equips students to identify mental health issues, apply evidence-based interventions, and make appropriate referrals for recovery support.

Foundations of Counselling Practice

This unit explores the theoretical foundations and techniques of psychodynamic, behavioural, and humanistic counselling, examining their application across various counselling types and delivery modes, while emphasising person- centred approaches and cultural considerations in the Australian context.

Theories and Techniques in Counselling

This unit covers diverse counselling theories and practical skills, teaching students client engagement, case conceptualisation, treatment planning, and ethical practices, while exploring psychodynamic, behavioural, cognitive-behavioural, and humanistic approaches to develop a personal counselling theory.

The Role of the Counsellor

This unit offers an overview of the counsellor's role, emphasising how skills, theory, and self-awareness build therapeutic relationships, while covering legal and ethical obligations, a structured counselling approach, and the importance of reflective practice across various modalities.

Counselling in a Digital World

This unit examines the adaptation of fundamental counselling theories and techniques for digital and online platforms, exploring the benefits and challenges of online counselling, while offering students practical skill development through online exercises.

Skill development outcomes

ECU's Master of Mental Health equips students from both health and non-health backgrounds with the skills to excel in diverse mental health roles. Whether you're seeking to enhance your current expertise or transition into dynamic careers like Mental Health Policy Officer or Community Resilience Coordinator, this course is designed to support your professional growth and make a meaningful difference.

  • Students from allied health backgrounds include paramedics, occupational therapists, counsellors and social workers.
  • Students from a range of backgrounds include HR professionals and educators.

Upskilling outcomes include:

  • Increased capability in current role
  • Improved knowledge to deliver systemic and community outcomes (beyond individual psychotherapy)
  • Maintain employee wellbeing outcomes in current role

 

Career outcomes

Are you ready to shape the future of mental wellbeing? Change starts with you.

What jobs in mental health can a master’s degree in mental health lead to?

Upon graduating from the ECU Master of Mental Health (Online), you will acquire the skills necessary to support mental health and wellbeing across various professional contexts.

Potential career opportunities include:

  • Mental Health Support Coordinator
  • Community Mental Health Advocate
  • Program Manager for Mental Health
  • Services in Community Health Organisations
  • Workplace Mental Health Consultant
  • Senior HR Manager specialising in Employee Wellbeing
  • Corporate Wellness Program Director

Potential career opportunities for students from non-health backgrounds:

  • Mental Health Policy Officer/Program Lead
  • Mental Health and Welfare Manager
  • Student Wellbeing Coordinator (educators)
  • Community Resilience Coordinator
  • Psychosocial Workplace Risk Manager
 

Entry criteria

To gain entry to the Master of Mental Health, applicants must have:

  • a bachelor’s degree in any discipline; or ​
  • equivalent prior learning including at least five years of relevant professional experience. ​

If you would like more information, contact one of our Student Enrolment Advisors on 1300 707 760 or request a call-back.

Meet your teaching team

Professor Janine Joyce

Associate Dean

Professor Janine Joyce is the Associate Dean of Social Sciences, Social Work, and Youth Work in the School of Arts and Humanities, Edith Cowan University. A seasoned mental health counsellor and social worker, she specialises in strengths-based and mindfulness approaches to collaboratively fostering resilience and psychosocial well-being. As an academic leader, she is passionate about nurturing the next generation of changemakers—equipping students with both the skills and the heart to drive meaningful community transformation.

Professor Janine Joyce

Aarthi Ganapathy

Course Coordinator

Dr. Aarthi Ganapathy, Coordinator of the Master of Mental Health (Online) program and Senior Lecturer at Edith Cowan University, is an educator and mental health advocate with a strong foundation in mental health and digital mental health. With extensive experience in teaching, curriculum design, and student- centred learning, she has reimagined postgraduate courses to meet contemporary industry needs while fostering engaging and supportive environments that prepare students for real-world challenges. Beyond academia, Aarthi has worked as a psychologist and mental health advocate, supporting clients with severe neurodevelopmental disorders, substance abuse, schizophrenia, and social anxiety, often in underserved communities with minimal resources. Her fieldwork has shaped her understanding of the complexities of mental health care, which she brings to her teaching and research. Aarthi has also contributed to large-scale mental health projects, collaborating with policymakers, practitioners, and organisations to improve service delivery and bridge the gap between research and practice, ensuring her students gain both theoretical expertise and practical skills to excel in the field.

Professor Janine Joyce

Fees and FEE-HELP

The cost of our Master of Mental Health is $38,670* for all 9 units.

To assist with some or all of your tuition fees, FEE-HELP is available for eligible students. This government-supported loan scheme is designed to help eligible full-fee paying students pay their postgraduate tuition fees.

To find out if you are eligible for FEE-HELP, you can contact one of our Student Enrolment Advisors on 1300 707 760.

*2025 student fees are shown and are subject to change.

How to apply

Ready to apply? Our support staff are available to guide you through our three-step process.

Find out more about how to apply

Frequently asked questions
What are the benefits of studying mental health?

Studying mental health and wellbeing equips you with the knowledge and practical skills to make a difference in people's lives. Whether you're driven to support your community, advocate for better mental health resources, or expand your career opportunities, an online Master of Mental Health from ECU provides the expertise you need to lead change and create meaningful impact in the mental health sector.

What support is available for me as an ECU Online student?

At ECU Online we understand that everyone has different work arrangements, family responsibilities, locations and learning styles. This is why our postgraduate courses are offered 100% online, so you can balance your study with other commitments. As an ECU Online student, you will have access to academic and non-academic support.

Academic study support

Our accelerated online courses are developed by industry experts and engaged academics. You can easily connect with learning facilitators and course coordinators through our easy-to-use online learning environment to gain feedback and ask academic questions. You can also reach out to a Learning Advisor who can help with things like assessment writing, study skills and more.

Non-academic study support

You will have a dedicated Student Success Advisor available to you from when you start studying through to graduation. They will be available to provide non-academic support, such as assistance with scheduling time to study and more.

Additional support options

As an ECU online student, you also have access to all the support offered by ECU, both on-campus and online:

  • Access and inclusion services
  • Student health services
  • Psychological counselling support
  • Careers and employability services
  • Student Guild, clubs and associations
Do I need to attend on-campus classes at specific times in the Master of Mental Health?

No, the Master of Mental Health is 100% online and does not include any on-campus components. We have designed this course to be flexible so you can tailor your studies to fit your lifestyle.