Course

Introduction to Mental Health

Faculty
Health Sciences
Department
Mental Health and Personal Support Work
Course Code
MHPS 1500
Credits
3.00
Semester Length
11 Weeks
Max Class Size
32
Method(s) Of Instruction
Lecture
Course Designation
None
Industry Designation
None
Typically Offered
To be determined

Overview

Course Description
This course introduces foundational perspectives and current legislation relevant to mental health practice. Historical beliefs and approaches to mental illness will be presented. The focus of the course is to provide theory on current best practices in mental health care and treatment. Legal and ethical issues related to individuals, families, and populations experiencing mental health challenges will be presented, including an introduction to ethical decision-making frameworks for managing practice related ethical dilemmas.
Course Content

•    Historical views of mental illness and treatment
•    Best practices of mental health care
•    Mental health promotion and prevention
•    Common medical and physiological conditions relevant to mental health
•    Marginalized and vulnerable populations
•    Cultural sensitivity and cultural humility
•    Legal and ethical issues
•    Professional approaches to practice
•    Ethics of care
    o    Ethical issues
    o    Ethical dilemmas
    o    Ethical decision-making frameworks
•    Mental Health Act (MHA) and current relevant legislation
•    Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIPPA)

Learning Activities

In this course, students engage in a variety of learning activities such as lecture, group work, case studies, and team-based exercises.

Means of Assessment

Assessment will be based on course objectives and will be carried out in accordance with the Douglas College Evaluation Policy. An evaluation schedule is presented at the beginning of the course.

This course is a graded course, not a mastery course.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
1.    Understand the relevant foundational perspectives, the frameworks, and legislation for providing care to individuals experiencing mental health challenges;
2.    Understand the role of the Mental Health and Substance Use Worker (MHSU) in the promotion of health and mental health with individuals experiencing mental health challenges;
3.    Comprehend and apply principles related to managing ethical dilemmas utilizing an ethical decision-making framework;
4.    Demonstrate an understanding of interactions with other members of the healthcare team which would contribute to effective working relationships.

Textbook Materials

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.

Requisites

Prerequisites

Students in the MHSU program are required to maintain a passing grade of 65% (C+) in all courses to progress in the program.

Corequisites

No corequisite courses.

Equivalencies

No equivalent courses.

Course Guidelines

Course Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this course and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the course, consider the previous version as the applicable version.

Course Transfers

These are for current course guidelines only. For a full list of archived courses please see https://www.bctransferguide.ca

Institution Transfer Details for MHPS 1500
There are no applicable transfer credits for this course.

Course Offerings

Summer 2024