TAFE teacher Zeljka Jovanovic with Certificate IV Mental Health students Chantel Ndisabiye, Claude Runezerwa, Adrien Ndisabiye, Deyan Li and Cecilia Castaned. Photo: NSW TAFE.
Studying for tertiary qualifications can be challenging on its own, but it’s even tougher when English is not your first language.
Yet a group of migrant students at TAFE Wollongong is managing to study for the Certificate IV in Mental Health while learning English at the same time.
The students are also helping to fill the desperate need for mental health professionals in the Illawarra.
Married couple Chantel and Adrien Ndisabiye enrolled in the course to gain skills to expand the support they provide others.
Mr Ndisabiya, who will complete his studies mid-year, immigrated to Australia from Rwanda in 2014 and found work in aged care.
Five years ago, he moved into a role as a disability and mental health support worker.
He said the course had given him the knowledge and skills to go deeper in supporting people living with mental health issues.
“The course is very relevant to what I do. I’m working in mental health, but I had gaps in my knowledge,” he said.
“The course teaches us how to look after ourselves which builds our skills in looking after other people.”
The program includes a weekly English language class to help students improve their language skills while gaining essential qualifications.
TAFE NSW teacher Zeljka Jovanovic makes the class a safe space for students.
“As they’re building on their English skills, they appreciate me taking it a little slower and spending more time on explanations,” she said.
“It’s incredibly rewarding to see their progress and the impact they’re making in the community.
“This program not only addresses a critical need in the region but also empowers immigrants to make a significant impact working in the mental health sector, all while improving their English proficiency.”
Adrien said the course had also helped teach him about the importance of his own mental health in relation to his work.
“There were times working in mental health where I would feel burnt out and not know what to do,” he said.
“This course taught me the role my own mental health plays in relation to this work.
“There’s no way I can provide support for people living with mental health issues if I am not mentally fit myself.”
According to NSW Government data, the number of mental health-related emergency department visits in the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District increased by 134 from 2023 to 2024.
Student Cecilia Castaneta, who immigrated to Australia from Peru in 2023, is working in aged care and enrolled in the course to gain the skills to help older people living with mental health issues.
“I enrolled this year and I have already been using my skills in working with people living with dementia,” she said.
“I’ve learned to be more empathetic with people and to their situations.
“Also, learning to manage my own emotions has helped me to be able to help others,” she said.
Original Article published by Jen White on Region Illawarra.
