WIR407 - Mental Health and Addiction

Outline information
Semester
Schools offering this subject
Last revision date 2023-10-02 00:08:42.998
Last review date 2023-10-19 14:27:50.457

Subject Title
Mental Health and Addiction

Subject Description

This is an introductory course in understanding mental health and addiction spectrums, using anti-oppression, strength-based, person-centered, trauma-informed, and harm reduction principles. The course will explore how socioeconomic and political contexts increase the vulnerability of immigrants and refugees to mental health challenges and heightened substance use. This course identifies barriers at the individual, community, and systemic levels that negatively affect the social determinants of health of immigrants and refugees. These barriers often intersect with the immigration and the criminal justice systems, leading to further marginalization, stigmatization as well as precariousness of their immigration status.
 
Through this course, students will be provided with learning opportunities to identify the strengths and resilience of individuals, families, and communities from a holistic approach based on the recovery model. Students will be further equipped with basic knowledge about existing community resources for referral.

Credit Status
One credit toward the Social Service Worker Immigrants and Refugees Diploma Program

Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this subject the student will be able to:

Upon successful completion of this subject, the student will be able to:
 
1. Recognize the importance of healthy, resilient, inclusive communities in addressing mental health and substance use issues and advocate for positive changes. (VLO 7)
 
2. Use anti-oppressive and strength-based approaches to critically analyze the social determinants of mental health and other factors that impact the mental health of immigrants, refugees, and
 
other migrant populations. (VLO 7)
 
3. Analyze the impact of existing mental health and drug policies on migrants accessing mental health services and identify strategies to advocate for positive change. (VLO 5)
 
4. Identify the factors that impact the mental health of migrants during pre-migration, transition, and settlement stressors during post-migration. (VLO 3)
 
5. Analyze risk and resilience factors that impact the mental health of newcomers' children and seniors, and other vulnerable populations. (VLO 3, 7)
 
6. Critically analyze the intersection of mental health and substance use with the impact of criminalization of immigrants when confronting the police, the legal and criminal justice system. (VLO 2)
 
7. Identify the risk and protective factors and prevention of self-harming behaviors and suicide among newcomers. (VLO 8,9, 10)
 
8. Apply a harm reduction model of care to help newcomers and the indigenous population living with addiction. (VLO 8)
 
9. Recognize the challenge of equitable access to mental health service and identification of service agencies and referral sites to improve access for precarious immigrants and indigenous people, LGBTQ + and other vulnerable populations living with mental health and addiction. (VLO 5, 9, 10)
 
10. Apply mental health promotion strategies, self-care, and trauma-informed principles to help newcomers and marginalized populations. (VLO 6, 8, 10)
 
Recognize how Stigma can create barriers and impact negatively people living with mental health, substance use, and identify strategies to dismantle the Stigma at different levels. (VLO 9, 10)
 
Vocational Learning Outcomes
 
http://www.tcu.gov.on.ca/pepg/audiences/colleges/progstan/humserv/50721-social-service-worker.html

Essential Employability Skills

    •  Communicate clearly, concisely and correctly in the written, spoken and visual form that fulfils the purpose and meets the needs of the audience.

    •  Respond to written, spoken, or visual messages in a manner that ensures effective communication.

    •  Execute mathematical operations accurately.

    •  Apply a systematic approach to solve problems.

    •  Use a variety of thinking skills to anticipate and solve problems.

    •  Locate, select, organize, and document information using appropriate technology and information systems.

    •  Analyze, evaluate, and apply relevant information from a variety of sources.

    •  Show respect for diverse opinions, values, belief systems, and contributions of others.

    •  Interact with others in groups or teams in ways that contribute to effective working relationships and the achievement of goals.

    •  Manage the use of time and other resources to complete projects.

Academic Integrity
Seneca upholds a learning community that values academic integrity, honesty, fairness, trust, respect, responsibility and courage. These values enhance Seneca's commitment to deliver high-quality education and teaching excellence, while supporting a positive learning environment. Ensure that you are aware of Seneca's Academic Integrity Policy which can be found at: http://www.senecapolytechnic.ca/about/policies/academic-integrity-policy.html Review section 2 of the policy for details regarding approaches to supporting integrity. Section 2.3 and Appendix B of the policy describe various sanctions that can be applied, if there is suspected academic misconduct (e.g., contract cheating, cheating, falsification, impersonation or plagiarism).

Please visit the Academic Integrity website http://open2.senecac.on.ca/sites/academic-integrity/for-students to understand and learn more about how to prepare and submit work so that it supports academic integrity, and to avoid academic misconduct.

Discrimination/Harassment
All students and employees have the right to study and work in an environment that is free from discrimination and/or harassment. Language or activities that defeat this objective violate the College Policy on Discrimination/Harassment and shall not be tolerated. Information and assistance are available from the Student Conduct Office at student.conduct@senecapolytechnic.ca.

Accommodation for Students with Disabilities
The College will provide reasonable accommodation to students with disabilities in order to promote academic success. If you require accommodation, contact the Counselling and Accessibility Services Office at ext. 22900 to initiate the process for documenting, assessing and implementing your individual accommodation needs.

Camera Use and Recordings - Synchronous (Live) Classes
Synchronous (live) classes may be delivered in person, in a Flexible Learning space, or online through a Seneca web conferencing platform such as MS Teams or Zoom. Flexible Learning spaces are equipped with cameras, microphones, monitors and speakers that capture and stream instructor and student interactions, providing an in-person experience for students choosing to study online.

Students joining a live class online may be required to have a working camera in order to participate, or for certain activities (e.g. group work, assessments), and high-speed broadband access (e.g. Cable, DSL) is highly recommended. In the event students encounter circumstances that impact their ability to join the platform with their camera on, they should reach out to the professor to discuss. Live classes may be recorded and made available to students to support access to course content and promote student learning and success.

By attending live classes, students are consenting to the collection and use of their personal information for the purposes of administering the class and associated coursework. To learn more about Seneca's privacy practices, visit Privacy Notice.