Mental Health and Substance Abuse (5 ECTS)

Objective

The students understand the phenomena and challenges related to mental health. They identify the special needs of client groups. They understand and are able to apply key legislation and basic concepts in the field. The students recognize the service system and are able to guide and support the client to the services. The students are able to reflect on their professional activities and identify the limits of their own professional competence in the work of a Bachelor of Social Services. The students are able to evaluate current discussions related to mental health and substance abuse and understand the importance of structural work in the fields of mental health and substance abuse.

Content

Mental health
Protective factors / risk factors. Being normal / abnormal. History of mental health work. Mental health components. Challenges in Mental health. The students have the ability to support suicidal clients and their close ones. Supporting a person prone to suicide and loved ones.
Substance use in the life of an individual.
Addictions as phenomena. Trends in substance abuse work. Client-respecting encounters, speaking up and motivating. Legislation safeguarding the fundamental rights of the individual. The students are able to guide and support the client to services. Key services and guiding the client to them. Preventive, corrective and rehabilitative mental health and substance abuse work.

Location and time

Orientation for the course on Thursday, October 2nd, from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM (Zoom link will be sent later).

Materials

Material to be provided in the Moodle workspace.

Laws:
Healthcare Act 1326/2010
Social Welfare Act 1301/2014 and its Application Guide 2024
Mental Health Act 1116/1990
Substance Abuse Services Act 1308/2014

Teaching methods

The details will be clarified later.

The course can be completed without attending campus, but it includes two scheduled seminars in addition to the self-paced tasks. The seminars will take place on Wednesday, November 5th, and Wednesday, November 12th, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Participation in the seminars is mandatory.

The seminar portion of the course will be conducted together with social work students from Frankfurt UAS. Finnish students will prepare presentations on Finland’s mental health and substance abuse themes (the topics will be provided during orientation), while German students will approach the topic from a German perspective. During the seminars, discussions will also take place about phenomena related to the theme.

This course provides an excellent opportunity to get a glimpse into the international mental health and substance abuse world, while also practicing your English skills. Feel free to join, even if you’re unsure about your language skills—presentations will be done in pairs/groups, so you won’t be alone!

Seminar work (preparing your own presentation and actively participating in the seminars)
Moodle exam
Learning assignment*1
THL's online course (2h)

To complete the course, you need to pass the exam, learning assignments, and seminar work, as well as complete the online course.

Employer connections

Seminars and learning assignment.

Exam schedules

Between October 27th and November 14th, 2025, Moodle exam on legislation and services (exam duration 30 minutes from the start)
-- The exam is a one-time attempt, and at least 50% of the answers must be correct to pass.

International connections

Joint seminars with Frankfurt UAS.

Completion alternatives

Contact teaching

Student workload

5 op = 135 tuntia

Content scheduling

It is scheduled for the latter period of the semester.

Further information

The teacher will provide guidelines for the use of artificial intelligence at the beginning of the course. Using artificial intelligence in tasks where it is explicitly prohibited is academic dishonesty. Similarly, failing to properly acknowledge the use of artificial intelligence is considered dishonesty.

Evaluation scale

0-5

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

See the curriculum attachment.
The course instructor will specify the evaluation criteria in the beginning of the course.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

See the curriculum attachment.
The course instructor will specify the evaluation criteria in the beginning of the course.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

See the curriculum attachment.
The course instructor will specify the evaluation criteria in the beginning of the course.

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

See the curriculum attachment.
The course instructor will specify the evaluation criteria in the beginning of the course.

Assessment methods and criteria

Overall grade numerical evaluation 0-5:

Seminar presentations and work (0-5)

THL online course (pass-fail)

Target group assignment (0-5)

Moodle exam (pass-fail)

All components must be completed in order to receive an overall grade.

Assessment criteria: Metropolia’s general assessment criteria.
The terms of the assessment criteria, levels of competence, and stages of professional development are applied appropriately to the described course and degree program.

The student is able to:

Excellent 5
Use field-specific concepts and knowledge expertly
Justify the use of sources of information
Justify actions based on researched information or findings
Work in diverse and international tasks and work situations
Work customer-oriented and with a business mindset
Act responsibly, considering safety
Justify actions according to the ethical principles of the profession
Organize and lead group and project activities

Good 4-3

Use field-specific concepts and knowledge consistently
Search for information, critically evaluate, and use sources of information
Apply knowledge base in professional tasks
Apply professional skills in various work tasks
Act independently and responsibly in professional situations
Plan activities considering safety
Act according to the ethical principles of the profession
Work purposefully in a team and project

Satisfactory 2-1 or pass

Demonstrate familiarity with the knowledge base and core material of the field
Search for information from various sources
Perform in different tasks and work environments
Demonstrate achievement of core competence goals
Demonstrate familiarity with key safety practices in the profession
Act according to ethical principles
Contribute knowledge to the group or project

Failed 0

Does not sufficiently master or value the field's knowledge
Does not know or use field-specific concepts
Insufficient professional skills
Does not follow training and guidance
Does not strive to develop themselves or their activities
Shows disregard for professional safety or ethical conduct
Is unmotivated or does not participate in group and development work

The terms of the assessment criteria, levels of competence, and stages of professional development are applied in a manner suitable for the described course and degree program.