HEA-HEA8001 - Community Health Worker and Mental Health

Course Description

This course will provide Community Health Workers with a basic education and broad overview of mental health. They will learn to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illness that are often seen in the community. Myths, misconceptions, stereotypes, prejudice and stigma regarding mental health will also be addressed.

Course Outline

Demonstrate a clear understanding/working definition of mental health Define and understand mental health from a biological, psychological, social, and spiritual perspective Learn appropriate terms and people first language.

Identify major psychiatric disorders and their common symptoms: Mood Disorders, Depression Bipolar

Disorder Stress: Positive Stress, Negative Stress

Anxiety Disorders: Generalized Anxiety Disorder , Social Anxiety/Separation Anxiety, Difference between Stress and Anxiety, Trauma/Stress Related disorders

Psychosis: Hallucination Simulation Assess suicide risk of clients and crisis intervention skills, How to talk about suicide, List indicators of suicide, List protective factors of suicide, Effective Communication: Active listening, using silence, verbal prompts, body language, How to handle crises: Warning signs Call CIT trained police WRAP: Wellness Recovery plan Identify the services and resources available for mental health in the community, Develop resource list for mental health Present Resources in class and discuss.

Learner Outcomes

Demonstrate a clear understanding/working definition of mental health Identify major psychiatric disorders and their common symptoms Assess level of suicide risk of clients by listing indicators and crisis intervention Differentiate between effective and ineffective communication Identify the services and resources available for mental health in the community.