Program Overview

Community Health Worker Continuing Education Course: Mental and Behavioral Health

This online course is designed to provide a continuing education and professional development opportunity for Community Health Workers (CHWs) who have completed entry-level CHW training.

CHW Mental and Behavioral Health Overview

In this course, you will cover mental illness and addiction, including the risk factors, behaviors, and stigma often associated with these conditions. You will explore evidence-based therapies and services for supporting people living with these conditions. You will also consider how you can assist people with mental illness or addiction through prevention, advocacy, and promotion of positive mental health.

CHW Mental and Behavioral Health Training Objectives

By the end of this course, you will know how to:

• Define what we mean by mental disorder.
• Recognize several major categories of mental disorders.
• Discuss how Community Health Workers can advocate for people with mental disorders.
• Define addiction.
• Explain the characteristics of addiction, including the component of relapse.
• Discuss how Community Health Workers can advocate for people with addictions.
• Understand the range of services available to treat mental disorders and/or addiction.
• Discuss how Community Health Workers can reduce the risk of mental and behavioral health disorders.
• Explain how Community Health Workers can collaborate with people who have an addiction and/or mental disorder to promote recovery.

Course Details

• Duration: Three weeks
• Format: Online
• Cost: $200, with a discounted rate of $150 for students in Eastern Oregon Counties (Baker, Clatsop, Coos, Crook, Curry, Douglas, Gilliam, Grant, Harney, Hood River, Jefferson, Klamath, Lake, Lincoln, Malheur, Morrow, Sherman, Tillamook, Umatilla, Union, Wallowa, Wasco, Wheeler)
• CEUs: 12
• Hours: 12
• Approval: Our Mental and Behavioral Health course is approved by Oregon Health Authority for Traditional Health Workers.
• Schedule: Winter 2026, February 2 - 22, 2026