Mental Health and Substance Use - Certificate

ADD 384 Addictions Theory and Practice is designed to provide students with an overview of current and emerging research/expertise in the field. The course will cover diverse definitions and understandings of addiction, as informed by current findings in the fields of neuroscience and social science. Pharmacology basics and the biological, psychological, social, spiritual and environmental dimensions of addiction will be reviewed from a number of perspectives. Current research on attachment, trauma and brain development will be examined in relation to addiction from both developmental and environmental perspectives. A critical examination of the link between policy and practice provides context for the emergence of recovery strategies such as harm reduction and motivational techniques. Special attention will be given to the role of colonization and stigma as it is experienced through ethnicity, gender and culture, and the important role of advocacy in this context.

HSER 257 Mental Health Issues: Practical Responses provides instruction in a variety of rehabilitative and treatment modalities used in work with individuals facing mental health challenges. Attitudes toward mental health and substance use problems and how they impact helper effectiveness are explored in a supportive milieu. Evidence-based practices such as Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Harm Reduction are used as frameworks for the development of skills and knowledge. Students are introduced to strategies for overcoming stigma and supporting client empowerment in a variety of community and facility settings.

HSER 258 Fundamentals of Change I is designed to assist the student in developing self-awareness as a helper, and in developing both an understanding and a beginning level of skill. Students are required to participate in exercises, role plays, simulations and video taping of interviews and counselling sessions, in order to accomplish the course objectives.

SSW 157 Group Skills, offers knowledge and skill development that can be applied to a large number of settings: in the workplace as a team member; working with specific client groups including children, adolescents, families, special interest groups; leading and/or participating in learning and discussion groups; planning, implementing and evaluating community development work. Effective social service workers need a good understanding of working in groups and group facilitation skills. The focus will be on increasing students' awareness of their own interaction in groups and on demonstrating their ability to use effective facilitation skills with groups.

HSER 255 Professional Foundations for Human Services explores foundations of Human Service Worker professional practice through an examination of the issues surrounding professional identity, ethical practice, and the interdisciplinary team approach. The skills required for communicating as a professional and as a team member, both oral and written, are developed throughout the course.

HSER 259 Fundamentals of Change II is designed to assist students to build advanced helping skills on the base developed in HSER 258. Students will learn to use their helping relationships and interpersonal communication skills within the framework of the helping process model. Students are required to demonstrate their skill development on video tape, as well as demonstrate analytical skills which will require both self-awareness and knowledge of the helping model. The focus is on the skills required to carry out action planning, support of action and evaluation of outcomes in helping interventions.