Graduate Certificate of Mental Wellbeing

Why study mental health with ECU Online?

  • Graduate sooner, 100% online

    Earn your graduate certificate in as little as six months, studying part-time. Enjoy the freedom of studying 100% online, whether from the comfort of your home, on your commute, or during your lunch break. Stay connected and supported throughout your studies with guidance from expert academics, dedicated Student Success Advisors, and a supportive community of fellow students.​

  • Gain foundational skills​

    Develop foundational knowledge in mental health, counselling for improved mental health, and Indigenous insights into better mental wellbeing.

  • Pathway to a Master of Mental Health

    Continue your journey in shaping the future of mental health. By completing the Graduate Certificate of Mental Wellbeing, you have the option to study ECU’s Master of Mental Health with credit.

What you will learn

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

  • Effectively communicate specialised mental health knowledge, concepts, and skills across diverse contexts and to various audiences.
  • Support your own mental wellbeing in professional practice.
  • Apply critical thinking and independent judgement to analyse complex mental health situations.
  • Demonstrate self-management and creativity by designing, planning, and evaluating initiatives that promote positive mental health outcomes.

 

What you will study

To complete the Graduate Certificate of Mental Wellbeing, you must complete three of the following 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 needs in evolving mental health care contexts.

Community Approaches to Mental Health

This unit explores mental health care beyond tertiary services, encouraging students to critically examine accessibility social determinate issues across diverse socio-economic backgrounds.

Grounding Self: Cultural Ways of Wellbeing

This unit immerses students in the profound realms of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander models of wellbeing.

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.

Entry criteria

To gain entry to the Graduate Certificate of Mental Wellbeing, you will need:

  • 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 Graduate Certificate of Mental Wellbeing is $12,600* for all three 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.