Certificate in Mental Health & Addictions

CONTINUING STUDIES

Certificate in Mental Health & Addictions

Certificate in Mental Health & Addictions In the last decade, there has been a significant growth in use of alcohol and drug use within Canada. Further, mental health and addictions is recognized as placing an increased burden on society and the health care system within BC. The result of this increase is more demand being placed on the individuals working within the field and an increased complexity of the challenges that individuals working in the field are being faced with.

REGISTRATION Registration for the Certificate in Mental Health & Addictions is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Contact Continuing Studies to register online, by phone, by fax, by mail or in person.

COST $575.00 per course, plus textbooks as required.

SCHEDULE As the number of clients and the complexity of the problem increases so does the need for experienced and trained professionals. This program is geared toward individuals working in the field of mental health and addictions, who may or may not have training in the field of Nursing, Social Work or Psychology, and will provide them with the basic skills and resources required to become more effective within this field.

The combination of the five courses that are offered as part of the certificate are designed to support the recommendations that are outlined by the provincial government in the area of training for mental health and addictions. All components will be delivered with a focus on individuals currently working in the field.

www.unbc.ca/continuingstudies

Each course is offered as a one week intensive session of full days of class time. The courses are scheduled one approximately every 4-6 weeks.

REGIONAL ACCESS The courses in this program are available for participation at the UNBC Terrace, Fort St John and Quesnel campuses via video conference.

XMHA 110-3 Introduction to Mental Health & Addictions This course introduces a variety of theoretical and practice perspectives on mental health and addiction and examines the nature of wellness. Individual and community concepts of health and well-being will be explored. Students will examine current mental health and addictions systems, learn to screen for psychopathology, develop an awareness of psychotropic medications and psychotherapy and will learn the concept of wellness planning. Mental health and addiction issues in northern and First Nations communities will be featured throughout the course.

XMHA 112-3: Assessment & Treatment Approaches for Mental Health & Addictions This introductory course introduces the student to the variety of assessment techniques and therapeutic approaches commonly used in professional practice.

Students will examine initial assessment strategies including the mental status exam, crisis assessment, the cultural context of assessment, suicide/homicide risk assessment, and substance use and abuse assessment instruments.

The use of assessment information in treatment planning will be examined. Practical therapeutic techniques will be introduced.

XMHA 114-3: Community Intervention & Practice Students will study the concept of community and the role of community in creating a health environment. Discussion will focus on recent innovations in northern and First Nations communities.

Students will learn how community practice can assist in the early identification of mental health difficulty, the role of various formal and information support systems and the potential for improved wellness presented by effective community practice. The role of the community in supporting individuals with psychiatric and addiction-related disability will be explored.

XMHA 118-3: Trauma and the Healing Relationship Students will explore human trauma using a holistic conceptual framework. Leading-edge research and effective therapeutic strategies will be presented. Students will develop an understanding of the range of human reaction to trauma as well as the connection between trauma and mental health difficulty.

The role of traumatic experience in the development of addictions will also be discussed. The critical role of therapeutic relationship and the concept of “caring community� will be examined.

XMHA 116-3: Individual Wellness and Community Health This course will offer students an opportunity to explore individual client and community wellness as well as developing their own wellness plans. Theories of wellness, particularly traditional First Nations approaches, will be presented and modeled. Students will examine physical, emotional, mental and spiritual elements of well-being and the critical link to mental illness and addiction. Students will consider the various determinants of health and explore strategies for promoting their own health and fostering health in their families and communities.

250-960-5980 or 1-866-843-8061

FOR MORE INFORMATION: UNBC Continuing Studies Tel: Fax: Toll free: Email: Web:

250-960-5980 250-960-5984 1-866-843-8061 cstudies@unbc.ca www.unbc.ca/continuingstudies

University of Northern British Columbia 3333 University Way Prince George, British Columbia Canada V2N 4Z9