International Mental Health Management Association (China Representative Office)

Management Measures for the Accreditation and Training of Mental Health Managers

• Ref Number: IMHMA-RO-MHM-2025

• Version: V 2.0

• Effective Date: [March] [22], 2025

Chapter I General Provisions

Article 1 [Policy Basis and Purpose]

In order to actively respond to the "Healthy China 2030" planning outline and promote the transformation of mental health services from "passive treatment" to "active prevention and holistic management," the International Mental Health Management Association (China Representative Office) (hereinafter referred to as "the Office") hereby formulates these Measures.

This system aims to cultivate compound professional talents with a "Bio-Psycho-Social" multidimensional perspective who can provide mental health monitoring, promotion, and holistic ecological management.

Article 2 [Definition of Profession]

Mental Health Manager refers to a professional who, based on theories of psychology, lifestyle medicine, and management, uses professional technical means to screen, assess, intervene, and manage the mental health status of individuals or groups throughout the entire cycle.

Article 3 [Non-Medical Statement]

This accreditation belongs to the professional skill level evaluation in the category of health management. Certificate holders focus on the adjustment of sub-health status and the construction of healthy lifestyles. They DO NOT possess the authority to medically diagnose or prescribe treatment for mental disorders.

Chapter II Level Setting and Competency Model

The Office implements a Three-Level Advanced Certification System, emphasizing the upgrade of management capabilities from "Point" to "Surface" and then to "Ecology":

Article 4 [Assistant Mental Health Manager]

• Competency Definition (Executive Level): Possess basic mental health knowledge, master the administration methods of common psychological assessment tools; be able to assist senior managers in establishing health files and conducting basic psychological popularization and education work.

Article 5 [Registered Mental Health Manager]

• Competency Definition (Practice Level): Possess the ability to independently conduct individual mental health management. Be able to identify common sources of psychological stress, formulate and implement special intervention plans for sleep, emotion, and workplace stress; master basic group counseling techniques.

Article 6 [Senior/Supervisor Mental Health Manager]

• Competency Definition (Ecological Level): Possess Holistic Health management capabilities.

  • Be able to integrate Psychology, Somatic, Nutrition, Exercise, and other elements to formulate a holistic healthy lifestyle prescription for clients.

  • Possess the ability to design systematic mental health promotion programs (such as EAP projects) for enterprises, schools, or communities.

  • Qualify to provide business supervision and case guidance to junior managers.

Chapter III Application Conditions and Qualification Review

Article 7 [Assistant Level Conditions] (Meet one of the following)

1. College degree or above (including current students), and completion of the standard training hours prescribed by the Office;

2. Priority is given to those with backgrounds in public health, nursing, social work, human resources, etc.

Article 8 [Registered Level Conditions] (Meet one of the following)

1. Obtained the "Assistant Mental Health Manager" certificate of this system;

2. Bachelor's degree or above, and engaged in health management, education counseling, corporate management, etc., for more than 1 year;

3. [Cross-Border Recognition]: Holders of certificates such as Health Manager, Public Nutritionist, Registered Nurse, etc., may declare after completing the required psychology module hours.

Article 9 [Supervisor Level Conditions]

1. After obtaining the Registered Level certificate, continuously engaged in relevant practical work for more than 3 years;

2. Holders of senior professional titles in psychology, medicine, or management;

3. Have successful cases or significant achievements in the field of holistic health management, reviewed and approved by the Expert Group of the Office.

Chapter IV Training System and Core Curriculum (SOP)

Article 10 [Curriculum Design Concept]

Implement the teaching concept of "treating both body and mind, prevention is greater than cure."

Article 11 [Graded Curriculum Modules]

1. Assistant Level Module (Basics & Tools)

• Psychology Basics: Mental health standards, identification of common psychological problems.

• Tool Skills: Establishment and management of mental health files, use of common scales (SCL-90, SAS, SDS).

• Service Etiquette: Professionalism and communication skills for health managers.

2. Registered Level Module (Special Intervention Techniques)

• Stress & Emotion Management: Basics of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), emotion regulation techniques.

• Sleep Psychology Management: Application of CBT-I (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia) in health management.

• Workplace & Family: Intervention for job burnout, guidance on parent-child communication patterns.

3. Supervisor Level Module (Holistic Ecological Management & System Construction)

• Holistic Health Ecological Management (Core Feature):

  • Somatic & Psychological: Psychological factors and management of physical diseases (e.g., hypertension, chronic pain).

  • Nutritional Psychology: Relationship between diet and emotion, gut-brain axis theory, prevention and management of eating disorders.

  • Exercise Prescription: Impact of exercise on neurotransmitters, exercise intervention plans for depression/anxiety.

• System Solution Design:

  • Top-level design and implementation of Enterprise EAP (Employee Assistance Program).

  • Construction of campus psychological crisis intervention systems.

  • Customization of physical and mental anti-aging and healthy lifestyles for high-end clients (VIP).

Chapter V Assessment and Evaluation Mechanism

Article 12 [Assessment Method]

Chapter VI Certificate Management and CPD

Article 13 [Certificate Issuance]

Those who pass the assessment will be awarded the "Mental Health Manager Professional Skills Training Certificate" by the International Mental Health Management Association (China Representative Office), with the level marked in a prominent position on the certificate (Assistant / Registered / Supervisor).

Article 14 [Empowerment Support]

The Office provides "Expert Pool Entry" rights for Senior (Supervisor Level) certificate holders, giving priority to recommending participation in corporate health management consulting projects undertaken by the Office.

Chapter VII Supplementary Provisions

Article 15

The responsibility for the interpretation of these Measures belongs to the Education and Training Center of the International Mental Health Management Association (China Representative Office).

Article 16

These Measures shall be effective from the date of publication.