Critical Issues in Substance Use and Mental Health: A CYC Perspective

Curriculum guideline

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Course
CYCC 4500
Discontinued
No
Course code
CYCC 4500
Descriptive
Critical Issues in Substance Use and Mental Health: A CYC Perspective
Department
Child and Youth Care
Faculty
Applied Community Studies
Credits
3.00
Start date
End term
Not Specified
PLAR
No
Semester length
15 Weeks
Max class size
35
Course designation
None
Industry designation
None
Contact hours

Lecture: 4 hrs/week

Method(s) of instruction
Lecture
Learning activities
    • Lecture 
    • Demonstration 
    • Group discussion and exercises 
    • Student presentations
    • And activities through the LMS (Blackboard) 
Course description
This course explores current issues and trends in youth mental health and substance use through a Child and Youth Care lens, with a specific focus on the British Columbia context. Grounded in an anti-oppressive framework, students will critically examine how systemic, social, and structural factors shape young people's experiences of mental health and substance use challenges as well as their access to and experiences of care. The course emphasizes ethical and relational practice, encouraging students to reflect on power, privilege, and advocacy in their professional roles. Through case studies, policy analysis, and collaborative learning, students will develop the skills to engage in critically reflective, compassionate CYC practice within and in partnership with Mental Health Substance Use (MHSU) systems.
Course content
    • Understanding Youth Mental Health and Substance Use in Context: Exploration of developmental, social, cultural, and systemic factors influencing mental health and substance use among children and youth, with a focus on the British Columbia context. 
    • Critical and Anti-Oppressive Approaches to Practice: Examination of how power, privilege, oppression, and intersectionality impact youth experiences and service delivery within mental health and substance use systems. 
    • Ethical and Relational Practice in Mental Health and Substance Use: Engagement with ethical dilemmas, boundaries, and relational practice approaches that centre youth voices and lived experiences. 
    • Systems, Policies, and Services in British Columbia: Overview and critical analysis of the provincial mental health and substance use systems, including policy frameworks, service models, and gaps in care for children, youth, and families. 
    • Emerging Issues and Trends in Youth Mental Health and Substance Use: Discussion of current and evolving issues such as the opioid crisis, and on the impacts of technology on mental health, gender-affirming care, and Indigenous approaches to wellness and healing. 
Learning outcomes

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

    1. Analyze the social, cultural, and structural factors that influence youth mental health and substance use, with particular attention to systemic inequities in the British Columbia care context, both in urban and rural/remote settings. 
    2. Apply anti-oppressive principles to critically assess mental health and substance use services, policies, and practices affecting children, youth, and families. 
    3. Demonstrate ethical and relational approaches to working with young people experiencing mental health and substance use challenges, grounded in Child and Youth Care values and theoretical perspectives. 
    4. Evaluate the effectiveness and limitations of existing mental health and substance use systems in British Columbia and identify opportunities for advocacy and systemic change. 
    5. Reflect on personal and professional assumptions, values, and positionality in relation to critical issues in youth mental health and substance use practice. 

 

Means of assessment

This course will conform to Douglas College policy regarding the number and weighting of evaluations. 

Typical means of evaluation will include a combination of: 

  • Written assignments 
  • Journals 
  • Class presentations 
  • Examinations 
  • Class participation 

Instructors may use a student’s record of attendance and/or level of active participation in a course as part of the student's graded performance.  Where this occurs, expectations and grade calculations regarding class attendance and participation will be clearly defined in the Instructor's course outline.  
 

This is a letter-graded course. 

Textbook materials

Textbooks and materials are to be purchased by students.  A list of required textbooks and materials are provided for students at the beginning of the semester

Prerequisites

With a minimum of a C - CYCC 3621 or CYCC 4425

Corequisites

None 

Equivalencies

None