MHAD 502 Mental Health and Addictions provides learners with an opportunity to critically evaluate their personal perspectives and assumptions related to mental health and addiction issues and introduces the impact of external and internal variables that put certain individuals at risk at different stages of life. Treatment and support strategies are explored through the Trauma Informed Care lens with a focus on psychosocial rehabilitation, resilience-building, maximizing functional capacity and minimizing negative outcomes. There is a special focus on understanding previous and current life experiences on coping in older age and MHAD treatment and management considerations for those over the age of 65.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of Year 1 of the Post-Graduate Diploma in Gerontological Nursing.
Corequisite: None
Crosslisted: None
Accessibility Services Notice
Students who would like an academic accommodation and who have a documented disability should contact Accessibility Services, if they have not already done so.Course Details| Total number of weeks | 15 |
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| Total Credits | |
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| Total Hours | 45 |
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Typical hours per week breakdown| Lecture | 3 |
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Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the learner will be able to:
- evaluate one’s personal perspectives related to mental health and addictions (MHAD) and how these may influence the care of older adults with mental health and addictions related needs.
- evaluate how social stigma, marginalization, and personal, cultural, and spiritual beliefs influence a person’s acceptance of, and access to, healthcare services; with a focus on the indigenous experience.
- explain the biophysical nature of MHAD issues and the neuropsychological impact.
- discuss the relationship between the Determinants of Health (DoH) and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) on one’s risk for developing mental health and/or addictions issues throughout the life-course.
- identify components of the Trauma Informed Care approach used by nurses in their work with vulnerable populations.
- compare and contrast recovery, stress vulnerability, and change theories in the treatment and support of those with MHAD needs.
- describe evidence-informed rationales for use of harm reduction strategies to preserve life and optimize health.
- identify psychosocial rehabilitation and resilience enhancing techniques used by nurses to maximize functional capacity in older adults struggling with (or at risk for) mental health and addictions issues.
- develop critically informed care-plans of older adults with, or at risk for, mental health and/or addictions needs using Miller’s Functional Consequences Theory (“Nursing Model for Promoting Wellness in Older Adults”).
- apply advocacy and empowerment strategies in therapeutic communication when working with simulated case-based clients.
- interpret the results of various MHAD screening tools as they relate to specific case-based or simulated clients.
- identify intervention strategies for common crises arising in clients struggling with mental and and/or addictions issues.
Grading Table
| Percentage |
Letter Grade |
GPA |
| 90-100 |
A+ |
4.33 |
| 85-89 |
A |
4.00 |
| 80-84 |
A- |
3.67 |
| 76-79 |
B+ |
3.33 |
| 72-75 |
B |
3.00 |
| 68-71 |
B- |
2.67 |
| 64-67 |
C+ |
2.33 |
| 60-63 |
C |
2.00 |
| 55-59 |
C- |
1.67 |
| 50-54 |
P |
1.00 |
| 0-49 |
F |
0.00 |
| |
DNW |
0.00 |
See the Academic Calendar for General Information including how to withdraw from course(s) and other regulations.
Disclaimer
Information contained in this course outline is correct at the time of publication. Content of the course is revised on an ongoing basis to ensure relevance to changing educational, employment and market needs. The instructor will endeavor to provide notice of changes to students as soon as possible. The instructor reserves the right to add or delete material from courses.