So you want to be a Peer Support Worker?

[Glisten]

I’m not sure @tyme 🤔 I’ve been a social activist most of my life.

But no one has ever suggested that I would be good at type of work.

G

[tyme]

Why not @Glisten ??

[MJG017]

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@Oaktree wrote:

So I clicked on Jora and typed in Lived experience mental health and searched in my state. Up popped an add for fee free cert 4 in mental health. I downloaded the brochure. Definitely a good place to start because it won’t cost me anything 

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That sounds awesome @Oaktree... assuming no catches.

[MJG017]

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@tyme wrote:

Cool! Yes, look into it. If it is a private organisation, have a read of any reviews to make sure they don't give you grief later @Oaktree When I mean grief, there are some people who start a course, but the organisation closes, or they don't return assignments, don't give you a proper transcript etc.

It also needs to be a Registered Training Organisation (RTO)

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Good points @tyme.  I remember when I did my Cert IV training & Assessment, that we were told about the requirements for any official qualification needing to be done through an RTO.  This was a long time ago, so my memory may be a bit sketchy.  But apparently there were lots of places offering cheap Cert IIIs and IVs that weren't recognised.  Like I said, it was quite a long time ago.

[Glisten]

@tyme I think the question is, why?

[MJG017]

I've just been searching for Cert IV - mental health training in Adelaide and found some.  Do these place just make up a number when deciding the fees?!  They're all over the place!  The cheapest seems to be about $700 subsidised, but many are double and a lot are around $3000.  I think i'll keep looking for scholarship opportunities.  I noticed the cheaper ones tended to have more hours for their work placement requirements.  The standard seemed to be 80 hours, but the cheap ones were 100 or more.

[tyme]

@Oaktree , I found this scholarship opening https://comhwa.org.au/news/cert-iv-2025/

NB I’m not endorsing anything because I don’t know the places. I’m just sharing what I’ve found.

[MJG017]

@tyme  I finally heard back, and I am having a Zoom chat with the Program Manager of the Lived Experience Workforce Program at the MHCSA tomorrow afternoon.  She did say they have 2 RTOs who do the Cert IV in Mental Health Peer Work.  I looked it up and the 2024 intakes are already done but there is another in March 2025.  It says the subsidised cost is $750 (or $500 with concession at the 2nd one) so I'll have to ask what the eligibility for that is.  The website for the 2nd says i'm eligible as an adult living in SA.

It also is in March which is when the LifeLine training is supposed to start so I'll have to make a decision.  I think i'd prefer to do the CertIV at this stage... a little less intense start to this area I think.  I do still really like the idea of doing the Lifeline one as well but it feels like the 'smarter' option is the Cert IV right now.

I was thinking the other day, that this is the first time in 2 years that I have given any thought to the future other than a result for an upcoming test or scan.  Which is both good, but brings back a lot of fears as well.  But either way it feels like the best way forward.  Assuming the conversation tomorrow goes well 🤔

[Oaktree]

@tyme @MJG017 @Glisten @Shaz51 

I am going to an information evening at North Metro Tafe this evening to find out about the cert IV in Mental Health Peer Work. It’s through COMHWA. They are giving out 30 scholarships so all it costs is the price of the checks and notebooks and pens. It’s a 12 month course, Thursdays and Fridays at Tafe and a couple of days worth of assignments per week. If you are interested @Glisten have a look at the link @tyme posted on Sunday 

[Glisten]

@Oaktree I don’t think it’s for me.

I’ve done a Degree. 
I just want to build furniture