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Updated in [June 30th, 2023]

This course, Mental Health Theory and Practice, provides learners with an overview of mental health and the challenges faced by those with mental health conditions. It utilizes a strengths-based and socioecological framework and a recovery model to help those with mental health challenges to move beyond survival and encourage them to thrive. Learners will explore mental health diagnosis, assessment tools, and what it means to use a wholistic approach when assessing and working with diverse people in diverse contexts. Self-care and community-care are highlighted as essential components and practices to cultivate, as a buffer and prevention for burnout and compassion fatigue. Through this course, learners will gain an understanding of the unique opportunities and difficulties faced by social workers and be prepared to provide case management and assessment services to people with mental health disorders.

[Applications]
Those who complete this course will have a better understanding of mental health theory and practice, and be able to apply this knowledge to their work with individuals, families, and communities. They will be able to use a strengths-based and socioecological framework to assess and work with people with mental health challenges, and be able to use a recovery model to help them move beyond survival and encourage them to thrive. They will also be able to use self-care and community-care practices to buffer and prevent burnout and compassion fatigue.

[Career Paths]
One job position path recommended to learners of this course is Mental Health Therapist. Mental Health Therapists are professionals who provide counseling and therapy to individuals, couples, families, and groups who are struggling with mental health issues. They use a variety of techniques to help their clients identify and address the underlying causes of their mental health issues, and to develop coping strategies to manage their symptoms. Mental Health Therapists also provide support and guidance to their clients as they work to make positive changes in their lives.

The development trend of Mental Health Therapists is very positive. With the increasing awareness of mental health issues, the demand for Mental Health Therapists is expected to grow significantly in the coming years. Mental Health Therapists are also becoming more specialized, with many focusing on specific areas such as trauma, addiction, or child and adolescent mental health. As the field of mental health continues to evolve, Mental Health Therapists will need to stay up to date on the latest research and treatments in order to provide the best care for their clients.

[Education Paths]
The recommended educational path for learners interested in Mental Health Theory and Practice is a Bachelor's degree in Social Work. This degree program will provide learners with the knowledge and skills necessary to work with individuals, families, and communities to promote social justice and well-being. The curriculum will cover topics such as human behavior, social welfare policy, social work practice, and research methods. Learners will also gain an understanding of the ethical and legal issues related to social work practice.

The development trend for this degree is to focus on the intersection of mental health and social work. This includes an emphasis on understanding the impact of mental health on individuals, families, and communities, as well as the importance of self-care and community-care. Additionally, the degree will focus on the importance of cultural competence and the need to provide culturally-sensitive services to those with mental health challenges. Finally, the degree will emphasize the importance of advocacy and social justice in the field of mental health.