Mental Health Training Course - understand mental health issues in adults

Start at any time and study by distance learning

Study Managing Mental Health In Adults and -

• Learn and understand the potential causes, nature, and treatment options to enable you to provide hope for the sufferers of mental health conditions.
• Study for professional development or for personal interest.

Services available for people with mental health issues will vary from country to country and from area to area.  

While two of the main treatments for mental health problems are psychotherapy and medication are usually administered by highly trained psychologists, there are various other treatments which are also discussed - e.g. some self-help options, including the role of friends and family as care givers.

Rural communities will usually provide less mental health services than a large city. With the provision of broadband internet to rural communities and advancements in technology, new options for delivery of mental health services have become accessible to remote communities. 

Course Structure and Lesson Content

Managing Mental Health In Adults is divided into nine lessons as follows:

1. Introduction To Mental Health Issues

• Introduction.
• Definitions Of Abnormality - Social Constructs, Statistical Infrequency, Failing To Function Adequately.
• Labelling And Mental Health.
• So How Does This Relate To Mental Illness?
• Case Study – African Caribbean People And Schizophrenia.
• More On Stigmatisation And Labelling.
• Causes Of Mental Illness.
• Social And Environmental Factors.
• Physical Factors.
• Psychological Factors.
• Diathesis-Stress Model.
• Treatments For Mental Health Problems.
  
  

2. Depression In Men And Women

• Introduction.
• Forms Of Depression.
• Determining Which Type Of Depression.
• Triggers To Depression.
• Causes Of Depression.
• Risk Factors For Depression.
• Gender And Depression.
• Older People And Depression.
• Psychological Aspects Of Long Term Grief.
• Other Types Of Depression.
• Treatment For Depression.
  
  

3. Anxiety and Related Conditions

• Introduction.
• Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD).
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
• Phobias.
• PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder).
• Treatments.
  
  

4. Schizophrenia

• Introduction.
• Causes Of Schizophrenia.
• Symptoms Of Schizophrenia.
• Diagnosing Schizophrenia.
• Subtypes Of Schizophrenia.
• Treatment Of Schizophrenia.
• Management Of The Acute Syndrome.
  
  

5. Antisocial Personality Disorders

• Personality Disorders.
• Antisocial Personality Disorder (Psychopathy).
• Causes Of Psychopathy.
• Treatment Of Psychopathy.
  
  

6. Eating Disorders

• Introduction.
• Causes Of Eating Disorders.
• Anorexia Nervosa.
• Body Image And Self Esteem.
• Physical Symptoms Of Anorexia Nervosa.
• Treatment For Anorexia.
• Bulimia Nervosa.
• Associated Behaviours.
• Physical Symptoms Of Bulimia Nervosa.
• Treatment For Bulimia.
• Obesity.
• Psychological Complications.
• Treatment For Obesity.
  
  

7. Dementias

• Introduction.
• Definition.
• Types Of Dementia.
• Causes Of Dementia.
• Dementia And Old Age.
• Alzheimer's Disease.
• Vascular Dementia.
• Care And Management Of Dementia.
  
  

8. Helping Yourself In Mental Health Issues

• Introduction.
• A Holistic Approach To Mental Health.
• Diet And Exercise.
• Imbalances In The Body.
• Psychological And Psychosocial Factors.
• The Role Of Friends And Family - Social Support Networks.
• Self-Help Groups.
• Self-Control Techniques.
  
  

9. Services For Mental Health Issues

• Introduction.
• Counselling Approaches.
• Counsellor.
• Psychotherapist.
• Clinical Psychologist.
• Psychiatrist.
• Nurses And Professional Carers.
• Crisis Centres.
• Telephone And Online Counselling.
• Group Therapy.
• Complimentary Therapies.

Course Duration - 100 hours

Course Aims

• Discuss the nature, scope and impact of mental health on adults of all ages. 
• Explain the different types of depression and the impact of gender on depression. 
• Explain the nature of anxiety and related conditions, and consider possible responses that may be used for these conditions. 
• Explain the nature of schizophrenia and consider the responses that might be taken to such conditions. 
• Explain the scope and nature of antisocial personality disorders, and consider the responses that might be taken to such conditions. 
• Explain the scope and nature of eating disorders in adults, and consider the responses that might be taken to such conditions. 
• Explain the scope and nature of dementia in adults, and consider the responses that might be taken to such conditions. 
• Identify a wide range of self-help options that can be facilitated for sufferers of mental health problems. 
• Identify mental health services and support options available for those with mental health issues. 

Everyone feels anxious at some time in their lives

People may feel anxious about an exam or medical examination or job interview or hearing some news.  This is perfectly normal. But for some anxiety can get out of hand. Their anxiety is more constant and affects their daily lives.

Generalised Anxiety Disorder

People with GAD find it hard to control their feelings of worry and anxiety.  Their feelings of anxiety are more constant and can affect their daily life.  GAD is a long term condition that causes the person to feel anxiety about a range of issues and situations rather than just one event.  A person with GAD will feel anxious most days and will find it hard to remember a time when they felt relaxed. They will have psychological and physical symptoms. The actual symptoms will vary from person to person.  It is estimated that around 5% of people have GAD.  The condition is most common in people in their twenties. 

Psychological Symptoms of Anxiety

• Sense of dread
• Restlessness
• Difficulty concentrating
• Feeling “on edge” constantly
• Impatience
• Irritability
• Being easily distracted

Physical Symptoms of Anxiety

• Drowsiness and tiredness
• Pins and needles
• Dizziness
• Palpitations (irregular heart beat)
• Dry mouth
• Aches and muscle tension
• Shortness of breath
• Stomach ache
• Dry mouth
• Excessive sweating
• Diarrhoea
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Frequent urination
• Excessive thirst
• Missed periods
• Painful periods
• Insomnia (Difficulty falling or staying asleep)

Similar to depression, the symptoms of anxiety can also cause a person to withdraw from social contact to avoid their feelings of anxiety. They may find going out or going to work stressful.  Some people may not know what triggers their anxiety, which can actually increase their anxiety as they are not sure how to predict it or cope with it.

Treatments for Anxiety

With any form of anxiety, the first port of call for the sufferer is their doctor.  The treatment for anxiety will depend on what form the anxiety takes.  GAD affects the person’s daily life and how they carry out their daily tasks, but several treatments can ease their physical and psychological symptoms. These may include medication and talking treatments.

More are experiencing mental health difficulties

More and more people today are experiencing mental health difficulties. If you would like to be able to help people who are experience such difficulties, or are interested to learn more, then this is the course for you.

Suitable for anyone who wants to learn more about mental health issues for professional development or for personal interest.

Start at any time

Managing Mental Health In Adults is studied by distance learning. You can start the course at any time. In addition to receiving high quality course materials, you will be supported and guided in your studies by our highly experienced specialist tutors. Throughout the course you will complete assignments at the end of each lesson and which you submit to the School for marking. Your assignment will be marked by your tutor and returned with comments and suggestions specifically for you.

If you are not ready to enrol, but have questions or would like to know more about the course, please get in touch with us by -

Phone (International) +61 7 5562 1088, or (in Australia) 07 5562 1088, or

Email us at admin@acs.edu.au, or use our FREE COURSE COUNSELLING SERVICE.