Foundations of Community Mental Health Work Practice
Curriculum guideline
Lecture/Lab: 6 hours per week
CMHW/HCSW faculty facilitate student learning through a variety of learning activities which may include:
- Case studies
- Group activities
- Group discussions
- Computer assisted learning programs
- Use of electronic resources
- Use of audiovisual aids
- Guest speakers
Social, cultural, spiritual, and environmental influences on individuals’ experience of health and mental health are discussed. Legal and ethical issues, dilemmas related to mental health and CMHW/HCSW practice will be covered along with the role and responsibilities expected in CMHW/HCSW practice. Theories related to infection control, body mechanics, medical asepsis and personal care will be presented.
Specific concepts that will be addressed are:
- Historical views of mental illness and treatment
- Best practices of mental health care
- Mental health promotion and prevention
- Common medical and physiological conditions relevant to mental health
- Social, cultural, spiritual, and environmental influences on mental health and wellness
- Marginalized and vulnerable populations
- Social determinants of health and mental health
- Cultural sensitivity and cultural humility
- Trauma informed perspectives for CMHW practice
- Self care
- Stigma, prejudice, racism
- Ethics of Care
- Ethical issues
- Ethical dilemmas
- Ethical decision-making frameworks
- Infection control and medical asepsis in CMHW practice sites
- Personal care approach with clients experiencing mental health challenges
- Body mechanics
- Mental Health Act (MHA) and current relevant legislation
- FIPPA
Upon successful completion of this course, the learner will be able to:
- Understand the relevant foundational perspectives, the frameworks and legislation for providing care to individuals experiencing mental health challenges
- Demonstrate the relevance of a trauma informed and culturally sensitive approach in working with individuals experiencing mental health challenges
- Understand the critical importance of engaging in personal self-care
- Understand the role of the Community Mental Health Worker (CMHW) and Health Care Support Worker (HCSW) in the promotion of health and mental health with individuals experiencing mental health challenges
- Comprehend and apply principles related to managing ethical dilemmas utilizing an ethical decision-making framework
Course evaluation is consistent with the Douglas College Evaluation Policy. An evaluation schedule is presented at the beginning of the course.
This is a graded course.
Textbooks and Materials to be Purchased by Students
A list of required and optional textbooks and materials is provided for students at the beginning of each semester.
Courses listed here must be completed prior to this course:
- No prerequisite courses
Courses listed here are equivalent to this course and cannot be taken for further credit:
- No equivalency courses