Lecture: 60 hours
In this course, students engage in a variety of learning activities such as lecture, group work, case studies, and team-based exercises.
• Neurobiological theories, neurotransmitters, and brain abnormalities in relation to mental health disorders
• DSM 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:
• Neurodevelopmental 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 MHSU practice
• Alternative and complementary therapies
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate basic knowledge concerning neurobiology with regards to mental health disorders;
2. Demonstrate an understanding of various assessment tools (MSE, Risk Assessment);
3. Understand the use of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of (Mental Disorders, most current edition);
4. Understand the prevalence, etiology, diagnostic criteria, and treatments for various categories of mental health and addiction/substance use disorders;
5. Understand the diagnoses, behavioural manifestations, treatments, interventions, and rehabilitation for addictions, substance use and co-occurring disorders;
6. Understand the impact of anger, aggression, abuse, and violence related to the physical and mental health of individuals and families;
7. Demonstrate basic knowledge of psychotropic medications in treating symptoms of mental disorders, and related side effects and outcomes;
8. Demonstrate knowledge of alternative and complementary therapies.
Assessment will be based on course objectives and will be carried out in accordance with the ÌÇÐÄvlog´«Ã½Evaluation Policy. An evaluation schedule is presented at the beginning of the course.
This course is a graded course, not a mastery course.
Textbooks and materials are to be purchased by students. A list of required textbooks and materials will be provided for students at the beginning of the semester.
Students in the MHSU program are required to maintain a passing grade of 65% (C+) in all courses to progress in the program.