Brief Course Description

This course introduces students to the study of mental health, mental illnesses and substance use. A wide variety of issues will be explored including patterns of distribution, risk factors and efforts made by society to prevent and treat mental health issues

Course Prerequisites

None.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, the successful student will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:

• Explore a broad range of perspectives that are applied to explain mental illness, substance use, substance use disorder and addictions
• Identify the prevalence and distribution of mental illness and substance abuse within Canada
• Differentiate between the different types of mental health disorders
• Identify the risk factors for mental illness and substance abuse
• Identify the relationship between mental illness and substance use
• Recognize ways to reduce risk especially relating to substance abuse
• Appreciate steps taken by the public health system in Canada to promote mental health
• Identify public systems and organizations which exist both in Canada and internationally to assist with mental health issues and substance abuse
• Identify what the DSM-5 is and outline the mental health indexes listed within
• Differentiate between substance use and abuse, as well as differentiate between mental health illnesses and addiction
• Identify how mental health illness and addiction are diagnosed

Lessons

1. What is Mental Health?
2. Biological Foundations of Mental Health
3. The Spectrum of Mental Health Problems
4. Substance Use, Dependence, and Addictive Behaviour
5. Stigma, Discrimination, and Mental Health in the Workplace
6. Mental Health and Illness among Children and Youth
7. Sex, Gender, and Sexuality
8. Culture, Ethnicity, and Mental Health
9. Mental Health and Illness in Older Adults
10. Responding to Mental Health Crisis, Emergency, and Disaster
11. Treatment for Mental Disorders and Substance Use Disorder
12. Mental Health Services in Canada
13. Mental Health Professions and Practices
14. Mental Health and Substance Use: Opportunities to Improve
15. Population and Public Health
16. Final Examination

Brief Course Description

This course introduces students to the assessment and intervention of mental illnesses. Students will look at the various treatment options available, as well as the barriers to treatment for vulnerable populations. Students will explore how to manage a mental health crisis, and the appropriate language to use when working with individuals with mental health and substance use disorders.

Course Prerequisites

Completion of MHASW 01.

Learning Objectives

Lessons

Brief Course Description

This course will focus on providing support to individuals and their families who are living with both mental illness and substance use disorders. Students will gain insight into how factors like gender, sexual diversity, race and culture can influence the treatment of clients and their families.

Course Prerequisites

Completion of MHASW 02.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, the successful student will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:

• Define concurrent disorders
• Explain the symptoms and causes of concurrent disorders
• Identify treatment options for an individual with concurrent disorders
• Explain the factors that influence treatment and the complexities of treating multiple diagnoses
• Identify the treatment challenges associated with different demographics, gender, sexual diversity, race, culture and socioeconomic status
• Identify the complexities of treating concurrent disorders in children

Lessons

1. Fundamentals of Concurrent Disorders
2. History of Concurrent Disorder Treatment
3. History of Concurrent Disorder Treatment
4. Screening and Assessment
5. Screening and Assessment
6. Screening and Assessment
7. Mid-term Test
8. Treatment and Intervention
9. Treatment and Intervention
10. Treatment and Intervention
11. Factors Impacting Treatment: Protective Factors and Barriers
12. Factors Impacting Treatment: Protective Factors and Barriers
13. Factors Impacting Treatment: Protective Factors and Barriers
14. Developing a Framework for Practice
15. Final Examination

Brief Course Description

This course examines the concepts of the reduction of risk and harms associated with mental health and addictions. Participants will also examine how health promotion, prevention, and harm reduction have influenced mental health and addictions policies and the structure and the delivery of services to individuals, families and communities.

Course Prerequisites

Completion of MHASW 03.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, the successful student will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:

• Identify health promotion strategies in Canada
• Identify prevention measures as they pertain to both mental illness and substance use
• Identify policy and systemic challenges associated with mental health and substance use in Canada
• Explore the opioid crisis in Canada and contributing factors
• Identify the strategies of harm reduction in Canada and the benefits of harm reduction programs
• Explain delivery of services for individuals, families and communities in Canada
• Demonstrate ways to reduce risks and harms associated with mental health and addictions
• Identify the symptoms of overdose
• Identify the steps to take if you encounter an individual experiencing an overdose
• Outline the purpose of Narcan (Naloxone) in treating overdose, and how to use it in an emergency

Lessons

1. Health Promotion in Canada
2. Health Promotion in Canada
3. Health Promotion in Canada
4. Implications of Inequities in Health for Health Promotion Practice
5. Promoting Mental Health and Wellbeing in Canada
6. Practices in Indigenous Community Health Promotion
7. Identifying Appropriate Health Promotion Practices for Immigrants
8. Naloxone Training
9. Health Promotion in Clinical Care
10. Health in All Policies

Brief Course Description

This course offers students the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills to assist individuals in mental health and addiction settings. Emphasis will be on developing the student as a responsible practitioner as part of an interdisciplinary team.

Course Prerequisites

Completion of MHASW 04.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, the successful student will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:

• Be respectful of clients
• Adhere to confidentiality
• Apply theory previously learning in coursework to the MHASW practice setting
• Assist clients in a mental health and addictions support environment
• Work within a multidisciplinary team to benefit clients

All Applicants, unless seeking Mature Student status, must provide proof and satisfy the following criteria:

• Successful completion of a high school diploma or Adult Graduation Diploma; AND Are or will reach the age of nineteen (19) years on or before the start of the Program; or If less than nineteen (19) years of age on or before the start of the desired Program, have parental or guardian consent.
• To qualify as a Mature Student, an Applicant must satisfy the following criteria:
  • Be 21 years of age or older; AND
  • Have not completed a high school diploma or an Adult Graduation Diploma; or
  • Have not attended high school for at least four (4) years; and/or
  • Have not received recognition for prior post-secondary education and training.

Applicants who qualify as Mature Students may be admitted to a Program at the discretion of the Registrar. In lieu of graduation documentation, the Registrar may require Applicants to provide any or all of the following:

• Transcripts of completed education (secondary school or coursework at other post-secondary institutions);
• Professional reference(s) from current or former employer(s);
• Statement of intent clearly outlining the Applicant’s career goals and reasons for believing they will succeed in the desired Program;
• Personal profile; and/or
• Other forms of documentation that would aid in an Applicant’s candidacy.

Mature Students must meet all program-specific and non-academic requirements and, if deemed necessary, may be required to complete a pre-admission placement examination to determine academic readiness.

Applicants must meet the College’s English Language Proficiency Requirements in ONE of the following ways:

• Achieving a grade of 70% or higher in Canadian provincial/territorial English 12 or English Literature 12, or an equivalent examination; or
• Immediately prior to applying to the College, completing two or more consecutive years of full-time post-secondary education in English within Canada or a country listed below; or achieving the competency standard of one of the Tests of English Language Proficiency

Two years of completed post-secondary study in English are accepted from the following Countries:

Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Falkland Islands, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guam, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malta, Mauritius, Montserrat, New Zealand, Nigeria, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & The Grenadines, Tanzania, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States of America, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Acceptable English Language Proficiency Tests and Scores:

• Cambridge English Advanced (CAE): A minimum score of 58.
• The Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL): A minimum score of 60
• Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP): Academic Level of 4L and a CELPIP-General Level 7 in all components
• Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB): A minimum score of 7
• International English Language Testing (IELTS): Academic level with a minimum overall score of 6.0
• International Test of English Proficiency (iTEP): Academic Level 3
• Michigan Test of English Language Proficiency (MELAB): A minimum score of 76
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL):
  • Internet-based test: Academic Level with a minimum score of 79-80 (19-20 on each band); or
  • Paper-based test: 550 score; 23 on each for Reading, Writing, and Listening
• Duolingo: 110 (Temporary until December 2021)

Applicants should also provide the following additional documents. These additional mandatory requirements apply before commencing practicums and not at the time of admission.

• Clear criminal records search for the vulnerable sector;
• TB test and/or X-ray and Certificate of Health.