Course Description
The course will introduce the learner to the theoretical underpinnings relevant to Community Mental Health Work (CMHW) and Health Care Support Work (HCSW) practice. Concepts related to common mental health challenges, including neurobiology, DSM-5 categories, behavioral manifestations of various mental health disorders including addictions and substance use disorders, as well as various treatment modalities will be presented. Assessment tools and intervention techniques will also be discussed.
Course Content
- Neurobiological theories, neurotransmitters, and brain abnormalities in relation to mental health challenges
- DSM-5 diagnostic categories
- Diagnostic criteria and behavioural manifestations (signs/symptoms/presentation/characteristics, interventions/treatments for the following categories of mental health disorders):
- Schizophrenia
- Mood Disorders
- Anxiety, and Dissociative Disorders
- Personality Disorders
- Feeding and Eating Disorders
- Co-occurring Disorders
- Suicidal Behaviour Disorders
- Non-suicidal Self-Injury Disorders
- Diagnostic criteria and behavioural manifestations (signs/symptoms/presentation/characteristics, interventions/treatments for the following categories of child and adolescent mental health disorders):
- Learning and Developmental Disorders
- Behaviour Disorders
- Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
- Early Psychosis
- Addictions and substance use disorders, dependency theories, treatments and interventions, definitions, types, and harm reduction versus abstinence
- Aggression, violence and abuse theories, cycle of abuse, types of abuse (sexual, physical, emotional, neglect), denial, resistance, poverty
- Introduction to psychotropic medications and relevance to CMHW practice
- Alternative and complimentary therapies
Learning Activities
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
Means of Assessment
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.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, successful students will be able to:
- Demonstrate basic knowledge concerning neurobiology with regards to mental health concerns
- Demonstrate an understanding of various assessment tools (MSE, Risk Assessment)
- Understand the use of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition
- Understand the prevalence, etiology, diagnostic criteria, and treatments for various categories of mental health disorders
- Understand the diagnoses, behavioural manifestations, treatments, interventions and rehabilitation for addictions, substance use and co-occurring disorders
- Understand the impact of anger, aggression, abuse, and violence related to the physical and mental health of individuals and families
- Demonstrate basic knowledge of psychotropic medications in treating symptoms of mental disorders, and related side effects and outcomes
- Demonstrate knowledge of alternative and complimentary therapies
Textbook Materials
Textbooks and Materials to be Purchased by Students
A list of recommended materials is provided to students at the beginning of the semester.