COURSE OVERVIEW:
In this course we will explore essential knowledge, skills, and principles for effectively supporting individuals with mental health challenges. This course will equip you with the tools needed to make a positive difference in the lives of those experiencing mental health issues.
In Section A, we will begin by examining the legal and ethical considerations that govern working with people with mental health issues in Australia. You will learn about key concepts such as informed consent, privacy, confidentiality, and human rights, as well as the specific legislation impacting mental health practice. We will also explore the values and principles of the mental health sector, different contexts of mental health work, and the impact of personal attitudes on working effectively with individuals experiencing mental health challenges.
Additionally, we will address common myths and misconceptions about mental illness, types of mental health conditions, and appropriate responses to changes in mental health and crisis situations.
Section B will focus on developing practical skills for working effectively with individuals with mental health issues. You will learn how to communicate in a way that fosters respect, hope, trust, and self-direction, while also respecting the person's right to define and direct their own recovery.
We will discuss strategies for supporting individuals to understand and exercise their rights, while maintaining confidentiality and privacy within organisational protocols. You will also learn how to gather and interpret information about the person's needs, collaborate with them to identify services and strategies that support empowerment and recovery, and adapt service delivery to meet their specific requirements.
Throughout this section, you will be encouraged to respond promptly and supportively to individuals experiencing distress or crisis, while also recognising the limits of your own knowledge and abilities and making appropriate referrals to other services when needed.
In addition, you will learn how to apply your knowledge and skills while working with individuals with mental health issues in ways that support their empowerment and recovery. Through the use of communication techniques and the provision and adaptation of services to meet particular needs, you will understand how to effectively support individuals on their journey towards recovery.
By the end of this course, you will be equipped with the knowledge, skills, and empathy needed to work with people with mental health issues in a respectful, supportive, and empowering manner.
This course is designed to align with the content outlined in the Nationally Recognised Unit of Competency CHCMHS001.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
By the end of this course, you will be able to understand the following topics:
Section A: Knowledge
· Legal and ethical considerations (international, national, state/territory, local) when working with people with mental health issues, and how these are applied in organisations and individual practice, including:
o Children in the workplace
o Codes of practice
o Discrimination
o Dignity of risk
o Dignity of care
o Human rights
o Informed consent
o Mandatory reporting
o Privacy, confidentiality and disclosure
o Policy frameworks
o Records management
o Rights and responsibilities of workers, employers and individuals
o Specific mental health legislation – impact on individual workers and consequences of breaches
o Work role boundaries – responsibilities and limitations
o Work health and safety
· Values and principles of the mental health sector
· Different contexts of mental health work
· Impact of own attitudes on working with people with mental health issues
· Key issues facing people with mental health illnesses, including impact of prejudice and discrimination
· Myths and facts about mental illness
· Types of mental illness
· Appropriate responses to changes in mental health, mental distress and crisis
· Circumstances in which referral to a health or other professional is appropriate
Section B: Performance Tasks
· Communicate in a way that develops and maintains respect, hope, trust and self-direction
· Work in a way that reflects and prioritises the person’s right to self define and direct their own recovery
· Recognise and respect the person’s social, cultural and spiritual differences
· Support the person to understand and exercise their rights
· Maintain confidentiality and privacy of the person within organisation policy and protocols
· Gather and interpret information about the person’s needs from the person and other agreed sources
· Identify and discuss with the person services and strategies that support empowerment and recovery
· Support the person to express their own identity and preferences and avoid imposing own values and attitudes
· Identify duty of care and dignity of risk considerations in collaboration with the person
· Provide support that facilitates progress towards the person’s goals in collaboration with the person and their care network
· Work in ways that uphold the person’s rights
· Adapt service delivery within organisation policies and procedures to meet the person’s specific needs and requirements
· Document interactions and services according to organisation policy and procedures
· Respond promptly and supportively to people experiencing distress or crisis
· Work within the limits of own knowledge, abilities and work role and make referrals to other services as indicated by the person’s needs
· Work with at least 3 people with mental health issues in ways that support individual empowerment and recovery through:
o use of communication techniques
o provision and adaptation of services to meet particular needs
COURSE DURATION:
The typical duration of this course is approximately 2-3 hours to complete. Your enrolment is Valid for 12 Months. Start anytime and study at your own pace.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
You must have access to a computer or any mobile device with Adobe Acrobat Reader (free PDF Viewer) installed, to complete this course.
COURSE DELIVERY:
Purchase and download course content.
ASSESSMENT:
A simple 10-question true or false quiz with Unlimited Submission Attempts.
CERTIFICATION:
Upon course completion, you will receive a customised digital “Certificate of Completion”.