Managing Mental Health In Adults Level 3 Certificate Course

1 Introduction to Mental Health Issues

• Introduction
• Definition of Abnormality - Social Constructs
• Definition of Abnormality - Statistical Infrequency
• Definition of Abnormality - Failing to Function Adequately
• Labeling and Mental Health
• How this relates to mental illness
• Case Study – African Caribbean People and Schizophrenia
• More on Stigmatisation and Labelling
• Causes of Mental Illness
• Social and Environmental Factors
• Physical Factors
• Psychological Factors
• Diathesis Stress Model
• Treatments for Mental Health Problems: Medication, Psychotherapy

2 Depression and Related Conditions

• Introduction
• Psychological Symptoms
• Social symptoms
• Physical Symptoms
• Forms of Depression: Dysthymia, Unipolar Depression, Bipolar Depression
• Determining Which Type of Depression
• Triggers to Depression
• Causes of Depression
• Risk Factors for Depression
• Risk Factors for Major Depression
• Gender and Depression
• Older People and Depression
• Symptoms
• Changes Due to Ageing
• Psychological Aspects of Long Term Growth: Psychosocial Factors i.e. Family, Work, Financial, Loneliness
• Other Sub-Types of Depression: Psychotic Depression, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
• Symptoms of SAD
• Diagnosis of SAD
• Post Natal Depression
• Postnatal Psychosis
• Treatments for Depression: Talking Therapies, Medication for Depression, ECT (Electroconvulsive Therapy), New Research On Memory, VNS (Vagus Nerve Stimulation), Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
• Alternative Treatments
• Treatment for SAD
• Treatment for PND
• Treatment for Psychotic Depression

3 Anxiety and Related Conditions

• Introduction
• Generalised Anxiety Disorder
• OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder)
• Phobias
• Simple Phobia and Complex Phobia
• Physical Symptoms of Phobias
• PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)
• Symptoms of PTSD
• Panic Attacks
• Symptoms of Panic Attacks
• Treatments for Anxiety
• Treatment of OCD
• Treatments for Panic Disorders
• Treatment of Phobias
• Treatment of PTSD

4 Schizophrenia

• Introduction
• Causes of Schizophrenia: Genetics, Neurotransmitters, Brain Development, Birth and Pregnancy Complications, Triggers
• Symptoms of Schizophrenia
• Positive Symptoms
• Negative Symptoms
• Diagnosing Schizophrenia
• Sub-types of Schizophrenia
• Treatment of Schizophrenia: Antipsychotic Drugs, Antidepressants and Mood Stabilisers
• Management of the Acute Syndrome

5 Personality Disorders

• Introduction
• Millon’s Subtypes
• Antisocial Personality Disorder (Psychopathy)
• Causes of Psychopathy
• Treatment of Psychopathy

6 Eating Disorders

• Introduction
• Causes of Eating Disorders
• Anorexia Nervosa (AN)
• Body Image and Self Esteem
• Physical Symptoms of Anorexia
• Two subtypes of anorexia are commonly recognised
• Treatment for Anorexia
• Bulima Nervosa (BN)
• Associated Behaviours
• Physical Symptoms of Bulimia Nervosa
• Recognised subtypes
• Treatment for Bulimia
• Obesity
• Psychological Complications
• Treatment for Obesity
• Other Disorders

7 Dementias

• Introduction
• Definition
• Types of Dementia: Cortical Types, Sub-cortical Types, Mixed Types
• Causes of Dementia
• Dementia and Old Age
• Alzheimer’s Disease: Sub-types, Treatment
• Vascular Dementia: Sub-types, Treatment
• Care and Management of Dementia
• The Role of Carers

8 Helping Yourself With Mental Health Issues

• Introduction
• A Holistic Approach to Mental Health
• Imbalances in the Body
• Psychological & Psychosocial Factors
• The Role of Friends and Family - Social Support Networks
• Self-Help Groups
• Self-Control Techniques

9 Support Options and Services for Mental Health Issues

• Introduction
• Counselling Approaches
• Counsellor
• Psychotherapist
• Clinical Psychologist
• Psychiatrist
• Nurses and Professional Carers
• Crisis Centres
• Telephone Counselling
• Email or Online Counselling
• Group Therapy
• Problems of Group Therapy
• Complementary Therapies

Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.

Your learning experience with ADL will not only depend on the quality of the course, but also the quality of the person teaching it. This course is taught by Iona Lister and your course fee includes unlimited tutorial support throughout. Here are Iona's credentials:

Iona Lister
Licentiate, Speech and Language Therapy, UK, Diploma in Advanced Counselling Skills.

Iona has been a clinician and manager of health services for fifteen years, and a trainer for UK-based medical charities, focusing on psychosocial issues, mental health disorders, and also the promotion of communication skills for people in helping roles. She tutors and facilitates groups via workshops and teleconferences, and now specialises in Sight Loss. As a freelance writer, she contributes regular feature articles for magazines, has written five published books, as well as published courses relating to personal development and counselling skills.

Iona has also written published books, courses and articles across a wide range of subjects, mostly in the areas of health, counselling, psychology, crafts and wildlife.

She has drawn experience from clinical and managerial experience within the NHS as well as medical and humanitarian subjects. She has been a regular feature writer and expert panel member of a national magazine for six years.

Books include: A Guide to Living with Alzheimer's Disease (and associated dementias), The Psychology of Facial Disfigurement; a Guide for Health and Social Care Professionals, When a Medical Skin Condition Affects the Way you Look; A Guide to Managing Your Future, Facing Disfigurement with Confidence, Cross Stitch: A Guide to Creativity and Success for Beginners.
Courses written include: Mental Health and Social Work, Counselling Skills, Understanding and Responding to Substance Misuse, Journalling for Personal Development, Guided Imagery, Stress Management.

Current work includes: Tutor: Courses associated with Creative Writing, Counselling Skills, Psychology, Holistic Therapy, Certified Hypnotherapist and Hypnotension Practitioner.

Facilitator of Teleconference Groups: Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB)

Trainer (Skills for Seeing): Macular Society

Reviewer of Books/Information: Macmillan Cancer Support

Fundraiser: Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), Embroidery/Art Groups Facilitator, Board Member

Website Manager: The Strathcarron Project, Coordinator (Delaware & Tennessee) Human Writes