Study Guide

Objective

The students understand the phenomena and challenges related to mental health and substance use. They can identify the special needs of different groups. They understand and can apply key legislation and basic concepts in the field. The students are familiar with the service systems in the urban context and can guide and support the client to the services.

The students can reflect on their professional activities and identify the limits of their own professional competence in the work of a Bachelor of Social Services. They can evaluate current discussions related to mental health and substance abuse. The students understand the importance of different work orientations as well as anti-discriminatory dimensions of the work in the mental health and substance abuse sectors.

Content

The protective and risk factors involved for mental health services users. Dimensions of normal and abnormal. The history of mental health work. The components of mental health. Addictions as a larger phenomenon. Trends in substance abuse work. Skills for respectful and motivating encounters with clients as well as bringing issues to the forefront. Mental Health Act and Act on Welfare for Substance Abusers. Understanding of the Health Care Act and Social Welfare Act from the perspective of mental health and substance abuse work. Key services and appropriate guidance. Environmental (macro, meso) and individual (micro) challenges for service users. Multidisciplinary, preventive, harm reductive, corrective, and rehabilitative mental health, and substance abuse work. Simple Finnish vocabulary and phrases used in interactions with diverse service users.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

Framework of evaluation is as an attachment in the Curriculum's description.

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

Framework of evaluation is as an attachment in the Curriculum's description.