Course

Mental Health in Childhood & Adolescence

Faculty
Applied Community Studies
Department
Child and Youth Care
Course code
CYCC 2360
Credits
3.00
Semester length
15 weeks
Max class size
35
Method(s) of instruction
Lecture
Course designation
None
Industry designation
None
Typically offered
To be determined

Overview

Course description
This course explores the various roles of child and youth care practitioners in supporting the mental health of children and youth. Students critically examine how systemic factors such as colonization, racism, and other forms of structural inequity shape mental health experiences and access to care. The course encourages deep self-reflection on personal values, cultural identities, and positionality. Students will also gain a foundational understanding of British Columbia’s mental health system, service models, and approaches to care.
Course content
  • How values, attitudes, beliefs and cultural experiences influence our interactions with others.
  • An understanding of mental health from a developmental perspective enables the CYC practitioner to understand the complexities of mental illness in the lives of children, adolescents and their families.
  • A child or youth's wellness and health are holistic and multidimensional and are reciprocally intertwined with their families and the communities in which they live. 
  • A basic understanding of mental health literacy, of mental health care systems and of provincial mental health services will help the CYC practitioner be a resource to individuals, families and communities in addressing mental health concerns.
  • Knowledge, although tentative and changing, assists in dispelling myths and changing attitudes. A basic understanding of current classifications and treatments for mental illness helps to develop values and attitudes necessary for effective CYC work.
  • Individuals are experts in their own lives. Learning to listen and facilitate the expression of the meaning of those life experiences is essential to CYC practice.
  • Living with mental illness can be isolating and stigmatizing.  Effective CYC practice includes bridging into community resources and informal social networks to facilitate community connection and individual involvement and contribution.

 

Learning activities
  • Lecture
  • Discussion
  • Demonstration
  • Group work

 

Means of assessment

This course will conform to the Douglas College Evaluation Policy regarding the number and weighting of evaluations. This will include but not be limited to: written assignments, group presentations, and analysis of skill development.

This is a letter-graded course.

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

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, successful students will be able to:

  1. Critically examine the various definitions, treatments and resources for mental health diagnosis according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) in British Columbia and Canada as they apply to children and youth.
  2. Articulate one's own cultural beliefs about mental illness, inlcuding Indigenous perspectives on health, wellness, illness and healing, and how these perspectives influence our practice as CYC practitioners.
  3. Examine the roles of the CYC practitioner in mental health care for children and youth.
  4. Recognize the behavioural manifestations of mental health challenges at different times across the lifespan for children and youth, including behaviours related to early developmental trauma, anxiety related disorders, mood disorders, disruptive disorders, to inform an appropriate CYC response.
Textbook materials

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

Requisites

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.

(Current)

Course Transfers to Other Institutions

Below are current transfer agreements from Douglas College to other institutions for the current course guidelines only. For a full list of transfer details and archived courses, please see the BC Transfer Guide.

Institution Transfer details for CYCC 2360
Simon Fraser University (SFU) No credit
Thompson Rivers University (TRU) TRU CYCA 2500 (3)
University of British Columbia - Okanagan (UBCO) No credit
University of British Columbia - Vancouver (UBCV) No credit
University of Northern BC (UNBC) No credit
University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) UFV CYC 203 (3)
University of Victoria (UVIC) UVIC CYC 2XX (1.5)

Course Offerings

Fall 2026

CRN Days Instructor Status
Maximum seats
35
Currently enrolled
0
Remaining seats:
35
On waitlist
0
Building
Coquitlam - Bldg. C
Room
C1011
Times:
Start Time
13:30
-
End Time
16:20
Section notes

This course is restricted to BACYC/DPCYC students.

CRN Days Instructor Status
Maximum seats
35
Currently enrolled
0
Remaining seats:
35
On waitlist
0
Building
Online
Room
ONLINE
Times:
Start Time
17:30
-
End Time
20:20
Section notes

This course is restricted to ONLINE DPCYC students. On Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at 9:00AM, registration opens to all BACYC/DPCYC students.