Emergency Mental Health - Clinical and Diagnostic concepts (CMHC 712)

Upon successful completion of this course, learners will be able to:

• identify assessment, intervention and treatment strategies related to triaging emergency MHSU client situations and presentations including the management of crisis telephone calls;
• identify the physiological manifestations and medical issues related to MHSU disorders that may influence referral to alternate levels of care;
• articulate DSM diagnostic criteria and relevant factors for the common MHSU disorders presented in course module including the assessment, intervention, and treatment of these disorders;
• articulate the use of pharmacological interventions in behavioral emergencies including the assessment and interventions related to the side-effects of psychotropic medications;
• identify the indications and contraindications of restraint and seclusion in behavioral emergencies;
• develop strategies for effective documentation of EMH assessments and interventions;
• develop advanced psychiatric interviewing skills; and critical thinking skills to effectively manage MHSU emergencies

$834.00

Textbook not included in tuition fee. Contact the Douglas College Bookstore for prices and ordering information.

NOTE: Effective Fall 2025, the fee for this course will be $1,250. 

Successful completion of CMHC 711.

Proof of official designation in a health or human services profession - including registration or licensing with a regulatory body to ensure the professional is licensed to provide a specific level of care/risk assessment.

Completion of English 12 with a minimum grade of “C” or proof of equivalent as outlined in detail here - https://www.douglascollege.ca/future-students/admission-information/english-proficiency-requirement. 

• Physiological Disorders
• Psychotic Disorders
• Mood Disorders 
• Other Psychiatric Disorders 
• Substance Use Disorders
• Documentation in Emergency Mental Health
• Therapeutic Communication Skills and Psychiatric Interviewing

Glick, R. L., Berlin, J. S., Fishkind, A., & Zeller, S. L. (2019). Emergency Psychiatry: Principles and Practice (2nd ed.). Wolters Kluwer Health. 

Robinson, D. (2022). The Mental Status Exam Explained. (3rd ed.). Ontario: Rapid Psychler Press.

Shea, S.C. (2017). Psychiatric interviewing: The art of understanding. (3rd ed.). Pennsylvania: Elsevier

Available through the Douglas College Bookstore.

Online self-directed learning with instructor support as required. 

Due to the nature of an online delivery, the student will be expected be proficient in computer skills including email, adding attachments, navigating the internet etc. Resources for getting started with Blackboard are available online to help get the student comfortable in the Blackboard environment.

Registration is easy; simply contact the Program Assistant at cehs@douglascollege.ca, for the course registration form. Payment of the tuition fee must accompany registration.

Instructions on how to access your course materials will be emailed to you by the Program Assistant within five (5) business days prior to your chosen course start date.