Advanced Foundations of Mental Health is an introductory course for graduate level students. It focuses on a wide variety of practice approaches and issues that will be explored in greater depth. The course introduces essentials of mental health and the building of a therapeutic alliance (e.g. therapeutic listening skills, basic interviewing, empathy training, mental status assessment).
Students will be able to build on previous skills regarding the identification and assessment of individuals with psychiatric disorders. They will obtain essential knowledge and skills necessary to describe principles and practices in mental health.
Principles and practices of mental health will assist missional individuals with taking appropriate action when identifying those who need mental health treatment. Students will learn about the importance of establishing a therapeutic mental health alliance to assist their efforts to help those in need.
A biblical perspective on mental health needs will be discussed. An understanding of mental health needs through God's Word will assist students with discerning varieties of mental illness.
A scriptural approach to mental illness will assist students with developing an awareness of the need of healing in the community. Students will have to confront mental illness and allow God to help them discern appropriate mental health practices for those they serve.
Mental health concepts will be explored and understood in greater depth. Such understanding will give students the opportunity to connect with individuals in the community who suffer from mental illness. A contextual approach will pertain to priniciples of mental health and biblical principles related to finding completeness and mental well-being through Jesus Christ.
Principles and practices of mental health illness will be discussed in order to grasp an understanding of mental illness across cultures. Ethical delimmas regarding mental health practice amongst diverse cultures will also be considered.
Practical course assignments on individual case studies of those with mental illness will help students to critically think about ways to manage those with mental health needs.
There will be opportunities for students to address mental illness in case studies, which will give opportunities to take initiative, make decisions, and be accountable for results. Reflection assignments will increase knowledge, develop skills, and clarify decision making processes.
