Mental Health Diploma VPS028

Core Modules

The following three (3) core modules provide the foundational building blocks for the Diploma in Mental Health.

1.  Child and Adolescent Mental Health BPS214
2.  Developmental, Learning and Behavioural Disorders in Children and Adolescents BPS215
3. Managing Mental Health in Adults BPS216

Elective Modules

Choose any 3 modules of your choice from the list below.  You can change electives at a later date if you so wish.

• Anger Management BPS111
• Counselling Skills I BPS109
• Counselling Skills II BPS110
• Stress Management VPS100
• Aged Care and Counselling BPS212
• Anxiety Management BPS224
• Counselling Techniques BPS206
• Developmental Psychology BPS210
• Disability Support BPS226
• Ecotherapy Practice BPS220
• Abnormal Psychology BPS307
• Criminal Psychology BPS309
• Crisis Counselling BPS304
• Psychopharmacology (Drugs & Psychology) BPS302

Please Note:  Modules may be studied in any order, and are a course in their own right.

MENTAL  HEALTH  AND  MENTAL ILLNESS

In her book, “Current Concepts of Positive Mental Health” Austrian psychologist, Marie Jahoda (1907 to 2001), criticised psychologists for focusing on mental disease and illness, and not focussing more on mental wellbeing and health.

From the perspective of mental wellbeing, she developed the foundations for what became known as ‘positive psychology.’ Jahoda put forward the view that what we consider to be ‘mental illness’ depends on social conventions.

To her, mental health should be regarded as the normal functioning of the mind in the appropriate social context.

Jahoda surveyed doctors, psychiatrists, and people responsible for mental health in 1958 and found six characteristics that she considered were the ‘conditions for normality.’

These conditions for normality were:

• Personal growth and development.
• Positive self-esteem and strong sense of identity.
• Ability to cope with stressful situations.
• Autonomy and independence.
• Accurate perception of reality.
• Successful mastery of the environment, including relationships.
• These conditions included factors such as:
  • Ability to manage time well.
  • Ability to form relationships successfully.
  • Having meaningful social relationships.
  • Ability to work well with other people.
  • Being regularly active.
  • Having high self-esteem.

Jahoda also studied unemployed people. She found that they are often unhappy because they do not have these qualities in their lives. For example, they may not be working with others, they may not be regularly active, etc.

She argued that this unhappiness was not “just” because they were often poorer due to their unemployment, but also because of these other factors she had identified. Many modern psychologists have also confirmed her research, suggesting that meaningful work and close social relationships are important to our psychological wellbeing.

Jahoda’s work has been criticised, as it is hard to assess to what degree a person meets these criteria. Also, not everyone in psychology agrees with the list as the conditions appear to demonstrate Western cultural values.

Autonomy, for example, is not so culturally valid in more collectivist cultures, where cooperation is valued more than independence.

However, Jahoda’s work is a good starting point to consider what is meant by mental illness and mental abnormality, which is a long-standing debate within the discipline of psychology.

Jahoda’s approach begins with what is meant by ideal mental health and uses this as a baseline to determine what is abnormal or represents mental illness.

One might consider that if someone were to stray from these ideal mental health criteria, they would probably not be in ideal mental health. However, Jahoda’s work is just one of several approaches to understanding mental health and mental illness which will be reviewed.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Here is a list of the most often asked FAQ’s.

General

Q. Why should I enrol with the Academy for Distance Learning?
A. Here at ADL, our students are our priority – we treat everyone as a unique individual.

Q. Do I need to buy text books?
A. No, as each module has been written by highly qualified industry professionals. The content of the material is presented in such a way that text books are not required. However, if you require additional reading your tutor will be able to supply a list.

Q. What happens if I have to stop studying for a while? (eg. become sick, go on holidays, have a baby, move house, etc)
A. It’s OK to take a break and start up your study at a later point in time. Just let us know.

Q. Is there an age limit?
A. There is no maximum age limit. We do however, have a minimum age limit of 18 years. Below that age parental consent would be required.

Q. Are your courses up-to date?
A. Our courses are revised and updated on a rotation system.

Q. Do you have a Cancellation policy?
A. Yes. We have a cancellation policy that is fair and equitable. For further details please click here.

Q. Will I have any opportunity to engage with other students?
A. We have a Student Community group based on facebook! If you don’t have a facebook account already, you could make one just for talking with fellow students on the group.

Enrolment

Q. When can I enrol/start?
A. You may enrol and start at any time of the year – it’s all self- paced.

Q. Can I study from anywhere in the world?
A. Our courses are available to anyone, anywhere in the world from the comfort of your own home. The course content is relevant to any country, culture or economy.

Q. How long do I have to complete the course?
A. You complete the course at any time that is convenient for you.

Q. Completing a 100 hour module – how long will it take?
A. For some students a 100 hour module will take approximately to 3- 6 months to complete. Others take less time and some even longer.

Assessment

Q. Assessment – how does it work?
A. For each 100 hour module you are assessed by assignments (at the end of each lesson) and a final one and a half hour exam (or you may elect to complete a Project, instead of sitting the exam) – the choice is yours – you sit for the exam in your own location.

Q. I don’t cope well with exams – what can I do?
A. You may elect to undertake a Project (set by your tutor) instead of sitting the exam. Projects are completed from your home and can usually take a couple of weeks to complete.

Q. If my assignment is not up to standard is there an opportunity to resubmit my work?
A. Yes –

Q. How many assignments do I need to complete for each module?
A. At the end of each lesson, there is an assignment – so if a course has say, 10 lessons, there would be 10 assignments.

Q. I am having difficulty attending workshops/industry meetings, what can be done?
A. If your course requires attendance at workshops, conferences, or industry meetings; alternative arrangements can be made in your country.

Qualifications

Q. What qualification will I receive?
A. For individual modules, you would be awarded a Certificate endorsed by TQUK (Training Qualifications, UK), providing you complete all assignments and the exam. If you just want to complete only the assignments and not sit for the exam or finish a Project, then a Letter of Achievement would be awarded. For more details on qualifications available please click here.

Q. Can I customize my diploma/higher qualification?
A. Not all educational institution’s certificates /diplomas meet everyone’s needs. The opportunity to Design Your Own Diploma at the Academy (subject to our approval) is an added bonus, not found at other colleges. You choose modules that you think will help you in achieving your goal.

Q. What do I get when I complete the course? Will I receive a transcript?
A. At the completion of all courses and providing all assignments and exam requirements have been met, you will receive your Award and a Transcript.

Tutors

Q. Our tutors – who are they?
A. We appoint Tutors and require that they must be currently active in their industry, with at least 5 years’ experience in their chosen profession.

Q. Can I contact my tutor at any time?
A. Yes – you have unlimited access to your tutor via email through our Online Classroom. You can always leave a message with ADL requesting your tutor to contact you. You decide on how much or how little contact you wish to have.

Q. Practical work – How is this done?
A. To find out more about this part of the course please visit the section on How Our Courses Work here.