10520141Introduction to Community Mental Health
Course Information
Description
Introduces the major diagnostic categories of mental illness, with a focus on the psychiatric management of these mental illnesses. Examines the unique treatment needs of people who have a coexisting psychiatric-disorder and substance-abuse problem.
Total Credits
3
Course Competencies
  1. Examine the diagnostic categories of major mental illness
    Assessment Strategies
    by submitting a paper on a mental illness category
    on a written test
    Criteria
    you examine schizophrenia
    you examine bipolar
    you examine major depression
    you examine schizoaffective disorder
    you examine anxiety disorders
    you examine personality disorders
    paper includes a summary of a mental illness category
    paper is typed and double-spaced

  2. Examine the treatment needs of people who have a major mental illness
    Assessment Strategies
    by submitting a book report on an autobiographical account of a mental illness
    (optionally) by submitting a book report on a scholarly book
    Criteria
    book report includes an evaluation of why you choose to read this book
    book report includes a description of what you learned about the person with the mental illness
    book report includes a description of what you learned about the family members dealing with the person with the mental illness
    book report includes an evaluation of what you learned in this experience to help you become a more effective worker dealing with clients who are experiencing this mental illness
    book report includes an evaluation of what you learned in this experience to help you in your personal life

  3. Examine the unique treatment needs of people who have a coexisting psychiatric-disorder and substance-abuse problem (dual diagnosis)
    Assessment Strategies
    by submitting a summary of the diagnostic category of dual diagnosis of mental illness and the treatment
    Criteria
    summary includes the treatment of a person with a a coexisting psychiatric-disorder and substance-abuse problem (dual diagnosis)
    summary includes an identification of the key points from the textbook
    summary includes only relevant and necessary details
    summary is concise without being sketchy
    summary evidences correct grammar, punctuation and spelling

  4. Investigate stigma and its impact on mental illness treatment and outcomes
    Assessment Strategies
    by submitting a written report on observed stigma during everyday life
    Criteria
    written report includes comments made about people who have a mental illness
    written report includes a description of observations of people's treatment towards others who have or appear to have a mental illness
    written report includes a description of observations of the media's treatment towards people who have or appear to have a mental illness
    written report includes evidence based on personal observations of a stigma associated with mental illness
    written report includes an evaluation of personal deeds/conduct to lessen stigma associated with mental illness
    written report includes a description of a minimum of five personal deeds/conduct that occurred to lessen stigma associated with mental illness

  5. Empathize with people who have a mental illness
    Assessment Strategies
    by submitting a book report on an autobiography of someone with a mental illness
    (Optionally) by submitting a report on an interview with a person with a mental illness
    (Optionally) by submitting a report on a scholarly book
    Criteria
    book/interview report includes the complete citation for the book
    book/interview report includes a brief synopsis of the book
    book/interview report includes a description of what mental illness feels like according to the author
    book/interview report includes an evaluation of personal history to help you empathize with the author's feelings regarding mental illness
    book/interview report includes statements of the author's observations (helpful/harmful) about the "helping professionals" he/she encountered.
    book/interview report includes personal thoughts about what was learned about the mental health system
    book/interview report includes an observation about the impact of the author's mental illness on family members and close friends
    book/interview report includes personal history experiences that help you understand the feelings of family members and close friends
    book/interview report includes a personal evaluation of what you learned about society's attitudes and behavior toward people who have the author's particular mental illness
    book/interview report includes personal evaluation of what you learned about the author's particular mental illness and its treatment
    book/interview report includes a comparison/contrast of the author's autobiography and the discussion of the mental illness in the textbook
    book/interview report includes an evaluation of what you learned in this experience to help you become a more effective worker dealing with clients who are experiencing this mental illness
    scholarly book report includes an evaluation of why you choose to read this book
    scholarly book report includes a description of what you learned about the person with the mental illness
    scholarly book report includes a description of what you learned about the family members dealing with the person with the mental illness
    scholarly book report includes an evaluation of what you learned in this experience to help you become a more effective worker dealing with clients who are experiencing this mental illness
    scholarly book report includes an evaluation of what you learned in this experience to help you in your personal life

  6. Empathize with family members dealing with the person with a mental illness
    Assessment Strategies
    by submitting a book report on the book The Skipping Stone
    (Optionally) by submitting a report on an interview with a person dealing with a mental illness
    (Optionally) by submitting a report on an interview with a family member dealing with the person with a mental illness
    Criteria
    The Skipping Stone book report includes each chapter (I - VI) summary of what you learned about people who are living with severe mental illness
    The Skipping Stone book report includes each chapter summary (I - VI) of what you learned about family members dealing with people who are living with severe mental illness
    The Skipping Stone book report includes each chapter summary (I - VI) of what you learned about family members dealing with people who are living with severe mental illness
    The Skipping Stone book report includes each chapter summary (I - VI) of what you learned about mental health professionals
    The Skipping Stone book report includes each chapter summary (VII-XI) of what you learned about living with tragedy
    The Skipping Stone book report includes each chapter summary (VII-XI) of what you learned about coping with tragedy
    The Skipping Stone book report includes a reflection of what you learned that will help you live your life
    The Skipping Stone book report includes a reflection of what you learned that will help you in your professional life as a human services worker
    interview with a person includes a description of the psychiatric diagnosis
    interview with a person includes a description of when the psychiatric illness was realized
    interview with a person includes a description of what the illness feels like
    interview with a person includes a description of behavior changes
    interview with a person includes a description of thinking changes
    interview with a person includes a description of experiences with the mental health system
    interview with a person includes the management of the illness and prevention followed to prevent its recurrence
    interview with a person includes the impact the illness has on family members
    interview with a family member includes the psychiatric diagnosis of the person with the mental illness
    interview with a family member includes a description of when the psychiatric illness was realized
    interview with a family member includes a description of the changes in the emotional state of the person with the mental illness
    interview with a family member includes a description of the changes in the behavior of the person with the mental illness
    interview with a family member includes a description of the changes in thinking of the person with the mental illness
    interview with a family member includes a description of experiences with the mental health system
    interview with a family member includes a description of the impact that dealing with the person with the mental illness has had on them
    interview with a family member includes what is personally being done to take care of oneself while dealing with the person with the mental illness

  7. Enhance personal positive moods and personal feelings of satisfaction
    Assessment Strategies
    By submitting the "Take Care of Your Own Mental Health Assignment" journal and Kindness Report
    By (Optionally) submitting the "Pleasure/Gratitude Assignment" journal and Report
    Criteria
    Kindness journal includes specific examples of how you treated every person you talked to or met with kindness, consideration, and respect for each day
    Kindness report includes a reflection whether or not engaging in kind behavior changed your mood and/or your feeling of satisfaction with your life
    Kindness report includes a description of the positive change you experienced or what would change your mood and increase your feeling of satisfaction with your life
    Pleasure/Gratitude journal includes a description of a minimum of five things in your life each day you were grateful or thankful for
    Pleasure/Gratitude journal includes a description of a minimum of one thing you have never thought of being grateful for
    Pleasure/Gratitude report includes a reflection of whether or not expressing gratitude or doing something everyday improved your mood or increased your feeling of satisfaction with your life
    Pleasure/Gratitude report includes a description of the positive change you experienced or a description of what would reliably improve your mood or increase your feeling of satisfaction with your life