Unit 1 - What is Mental Health?
- Introduction to Mental Health
- Issues which affect Mental Health
- How mind and body interact to promote positive mental health
- Strategies to maintain positive mental health
- Barriers to positive mental health
- Positive supports in the community which promote
- Promoting positive mental health (yoga, pilates, relaxation, reiki, reflexology, massage, support groups, social activities, etc.)
Unit 2 - Realities of Mental Illness
- Historical context and myths associated with mental illness
- Major classifications of mental illness
- Various models used in understanding mental illness (environmental, chemical, social, cultural, genetic or combinations)
- The impact of mental illness on the person and society
- The symptoms and characteristics of mental illness
- Legal/ethical/moral issues associated with mental illness
Unit 3 - Intervention and Treatment Approaches
- Treatment approaches and their application. (Medication, psychotherapy, cognitive behaviour
therapy, counselling, healing communities, systemic interventions etc.)
- The advantages and disadvantages of each modality listed above.
- The role of the relevant associated mental health professionals. (GP, CPN, psychiatrist, psychologist, counsellor, social worker, rehabilitation professionals, occupational therapists etc.)
- Ongoing interventions available in the community for people with enduring mental health difficulties. (day centres, sheltered workshops, resource centres, rehabilitation training programmes, supported employment, sheltered housing etc.)
Unit 4 - Recovery and Advocacy
- Understand the features of recovery
- The recovery process
- The recovery movement in Ireland
- The key issues relating to current legislation