Mental Health, Substance Abuse and Addiction Work (5 cr)

Evaluation scale

Pass/Fail

Content scheduling

Preliminary assignment and familiarisation with the course materials
Definition of mental health and structures of mental health work
Substance abuse as a phenomenon and structures of substance abuse work
Methods of mental health and substance abuse work
Conclusion of group work and field visits
Self-reflection on the topics of the course

Objective

The aim of the course is advancing students’ understanding of the link between mental health, substance abuse and addiction problems as a biopsychosocial societal phenomenon and of how recovery can be supported in mental health, substance abuse and addiction work.

Competences:

Competence in social client work (Degree Programme in Social Services)
Social service system competences (Degree Programme in Social Services)
Critical and Inclusive Social Skills (Degree Programme in Social Services)

Rehabilitation service system competence (Degree Programme in Rehabilitation Counselling)
Guidance work and guidance in rehabilitation (Degree Programme in Rehabilitation Counselling)

Intended learning outcomes:

You are able to identify and assess risk factors for substance abuse and addictive behaviour as well as their link to mental health problems. You know work orientations and methods of preventive and rehabilitative mental health, substance abuse and addiction work for individual and community work. You are able to reflect critically on your attitudes towards substance abuse and know how to reduce the stigma associated with mental health and substance abuse problems as well as different addictions. You are able to coordinate services as well as guide and support a rehabilitee in using appropriate services in a client-centric manner.

You know the key legislation and service system relevant to substance abuse and addiction work and their connection to mental health services. You understand the operating principles guiding mental health, substance abuse and addiction work. You understand the importance of service counselling as part of the client process and know how to act in the client's interest in multi-actor network cooperation.

You recognise structures and processes that produce inequalities, underprivilege and well-being and know the significance of structural factors for the status of clients in substance abuse and mental health services. You recognise the potential of structural social work in mental health, substance abuse and addiction work.

Content

The key content of the course comprises the links between mental health, substance abuse and addiction problems. Students explore the concepts of mental health, substance abuse and addiction work, the risk factors of substance abuse and addictive behaviour, the development of addiction, and the process and methods of overcoming an addiction. Students also familiarise themselves with the legislation on and services for substance abuse and addiction work and their connection with mental health services. Reflecting on their personal attitudes towards and perceptions of intoxicants, addiction and abuse is also in key role.

Materials

Eriksson, E. and Arnkil, T.E. 2017.(9th edition) Concern Talk - a guide to early dialogues. THL.
Holmila, M., Raitasalo, K and Tigerstedt, C. 2016. Generational bridges and growing up pitfalls - parents, children and alcohol. THL.
Hämäläinen, K., Kanerva, A., Kuhanen, C., Schubert C., Seuri T. 2017.
Mental health care work. Sanoma Pro Oy 2017. 5th revised edition.
Nordling, E. 2018. What does recovery orientation mean in mental health work? Duodecim 2018;134: 1476-83.
Partanen, A., Holmberg, J., Inkinen, M., Kurki, M. and Salo-Chydenius, S. 2015. Substance abuse treatment work. ProSanoma.
Pehkonen, A., Kekoni, T. and Kuusisto, T. eds. 2019. Vastapaino. Also as e-book.
Poijula, S. 2016. Child and crisis. Supporting coping. Helsinki.
Toivio, T. and Nordling, E. 2013.(3.p). T., Timo, E., E., T. (3), The psychology of mental health. Edita.
Virokannas, E. & Väyrynen, S. eds. 2013. Shadows in femininity. Unipress
In English

Teaching methods

The course is taught face-to-face on campus on weekdays. For the timetable and locations of the face-to-face days, please visit https://lukkarit.peppi.jamk.fi.

During the study days you will get to know mental health and substance abuse problems as a phenomenon and become familiar with the theories, settings, models and principles of addiction work and the structures guiding the work through lectures, focus groups and small group work. You will learn about addiction work and related methods, as well as concepts related to substance abuse rehabilitation, by reading the preliminary material in the Moodle workspace and by doing online assignments related to the material. The content will be deepened and the methods will be practised on the days of the face-to-face training.
The learning method used is integrative pedagogy, which combines theory, practice, reflection and socio-cultural knowledge, i.e. knowledge learned through participation. In a pair assignment, you will undertake a field visit, either independently or with your partner, to a mental health or substance abuse work setting. As a pair assignment, you will report on the field visit in relation to the theoretical sources according to a separate guideline. As part of the assignment, you will also participate in a reflection on the field visits in a webinar. In a group assignment, you will explore mental disorders in a small group and present the output to the rest of the group. During the course, you will also hear lectures from experts in the field of experience and work.
The course is a part-by-part package. Therefore, you must be present during the classroom teaching days, and absences must be compensated. During the study days you will receive guidance and support in working and progressing on the course. If necessary, you can also communicate with your teachers in the discussion area of the Moodle workspace.
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Employer connections

The course involves expert cooperation with the Well-being Region of Central Finland, organisations and projects. The students will make a study visit to one of the operational units of substance abuse or mental health work.

Exam schedules

The course does not include an exam.

There is a possibility to complete a pair assignment.

The group assignment will be carried out in small groups, presented to the rest of the group and will have a completion option.

During the course, you will complete an independent assignment in which you will describe your role and responsibilities as a rehabilitation and social worker in mental health, substance abuse and addiction work, and reflect on your attitudes towards substance abuse, substance users and their loved ones, and different types of addictions.

Completion alternatives

The work can be apprenticed in an addiction and/or mental health unit

Student workload

Webinars and preparation for them 1 cr (27 hours)
Literature and data collection approx. 1 credit (27 hours)
Study visit in pairs 1,5 op (40 hours)
Group work 1 op (27 hours)
Independent online assignments 0,5 op (13 hours)

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

You are able to name the concepts and methods of mental health, substance abuse and addiction work and identify their links. You identify risk factors for substance abuse and addictive behaviour as well as their link to mental health problems. You recognise the factors and phases related to the development of addiction and the process of overcoming it. You are able to describe the legislation and services relevant to substance abuse and addiction work and their connection to mental health work. You are able to describe your task and responsibilities as a specialist in the rehabilitation and social services sector in mental health, substance abuse and addiction work. You are able to describe and reflect on your attitudes towards intoxicants, substance abusers and their families as well as different addictions.

Qualifications

You are able to describe the concept of mental health and name factors that protect mental health or put it at risk, as well as the most common neuropsychiatric and mental health disorders. You know the key mental health and neuropsychiatric services and the legislation governing them. You recognise your personal attitudes associated with mental health.

Further information

An approved performance is based on the participation in the face-to-face lectures and the successful completion of the independent online assignments, the pair assignment and the group assignment. The pair assignment and the independent online assignments as well as the group assignment will be assessed on the basis of separate assessment criteria, which will be announced at the beginning of the course in the Moodle work space.
The pair assignment will be assessed on a pass/fail scale.

The assessment criteria for the online assignments to be completed independently are explained in the Moodle work space in the assignments. There is no time limit. Students will receive feedback on the assignments during the course.

Approval policy: a decision on the possible approval of the course must be taken before the first face-to-face lesson of the course, as the pair work will be started already in the first face-to-face lesson. Applications for hy-approval must demonstrate competence in relation to the objectives and content of the course. Applications for accreditation should be addressed to the teacher responsible for the course