HSER 257 Mental Health Issues: Practical Responses

School of Health and Human Services

HSER 257 Mental Health Issues: Practical Responses provides instruction in a variety of rehabilitative and treatment modalities used in work with individuals facing mental health challenges. Attitudes toward mental health and substance use problems and how they impact helper effectiveness are explored in a supportive milieu. Evidence-based practices such as Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Harm Reduction are used as frameworks for the development of skills and knowledge. Students are introduced to strategies for overcoming stigma and supporting client empowerment in a variety of community and facility settings.

Prerequisites: English Studies 12 or equivalent or enrolment in Mental Health and Addictions Associate Certificate or Mental Health and Substance Use Advanced Certificate

Accessibility Services Notice

Students who would like an academic accommodation and who have a documented disability should contact Accessibility Services, if they have not already done so.

Transfer Agreements

Course to Course transfer – YesBlock Transfer – Yesbctransferguide.ca
Course Details
Total number of weeks15
Total Credits
Total Hours45
Typical hours per week breakdown
Other3

Learning Outcomes

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

  1. Explore mental health issues through a holistic bio-psychological-social-spiritual lens
  2. Utilize a strength-based approach to working with clients who have mental health challenges across the lifespan
  3. Examine the complex intersections between mental health, substance use, marginalization and social determinants of health
  4. Assess cultural context as it relates to mental health diagnosis and treatments
  5. Explain how to respond effectively and safely to crisis situations
  6. Identify mental health resources and referral pathways in your community for youth, adults, and older adults
  7. Apply psychosocial rehab (PSR) and Harm Reduction approaches to client care planning
  8. Identify the impact that client empowerment, self determination, advocacy and allyship have when working with people experiencing mental health challenges

Teaching and Learning Approach

HSER257 is taught using a number of strategies to engage online learners and includes:

Week by week online instruction

Engagement in in learning activities and forums throughout the course, allowing for an opportunity to self reflect and learn from one another.

Readings from current online sources, video segments and various advocacy organizations that provide learning opportunities through a variety of mediums.

Learning Resources

Required: For reference purposes only. You are not required to buy this manual, however you will need access to it through a library or local Mental Health facility:

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing.

Other readings are provided through links on the course site.

Detailed Course Content, Topics, and Sequence Covered

1. 1. Introduction to Course Mental Health Spectrum

2. 2. Bio/psycho/social/spiritual model applied to mental health

3. 3. Marginalization and Intersectionality Youth specific issues

4. 4. Understanding Mental Health and Substance Use Diagnoses: DSM-5

5. 5. Categories of Mental Illness; Mental Health in Context

6. 6. Cultural Context

7. 7. READING WEEK

8. 8. Psycho Social Rehab (PSR) and Harm Reduction

9. 9. The Recovery Model Tools for Empowerment and Self Management

10. 10. Advocacy in Mental Health and Addictions

11. 11. Boundaries: Limit Setting and Problem Solving

12. 12. Challenging Problems and Behaviour

13. 13. Managing Crisis

14. 14. On the Job: Safety Protocols in Outreach Work

Assessment

TitleLearning OutcomesValue
Stories of Mental Illness1,2,3,425%
Case Study Assignment1 -830%
Weekly Learning Activities1-830%
Self-Reflection1-815%
Total100%

Grading Table

Standard Academic and Career Programs Grading Table

Percentage Letter Grade GPA
90-100 A+ 4.33
85-89 A 4.00
80-84 A- 3.67
76-79 B+ 3.33
72-75 B 3.00
68-71 B- 2.67
64-67 C+ 2.33
60-63 C 2.00
55-59 C- 1.67
50-54 P 1.00
0-49 F 0.00
DNW 0.00

See the Academic Calendar for General Information including how to withdraw from course(s) and other regulations.

Disclaimer

Information contained in this course outline is correct at the time of publication. Content of the course is revised on an ongoing basis to ensure relevance to changing educational, employment and market needs. The instructor will endeavor to provide notice of changes to students as soon as possible. The instructor reserves the right to add or delete material from courses.