In the Field of Mental Health since 1971
Months
Semesters
Hours Theory
Hours Clinical
The Certificate course ‘Basic Mental Health Care’ is designed to train learners and caregivers to understand and serve the basic needs of a mentally ill patient at home or hospital. Mental health is a global concern, yet the level of support found in each country varies widely.
According to WHO, India accounted for nearly 15 per cent of the global mental, neurological and substance abuse disorder burden. A meta-analysis of community surveys estimate that the prevalence of depression and anxiety could be up to 33 per 1,000 persons.
In India, the treatment gap (the number of people with an illness who need treatment but do not get it) is 70 to 92 per cent, depending on the state. It is estimated that nearly one-third of patients who seek help from healthcare facilities could have symptoms related to depression. But poor awareness of mental health symptoms, social stigma, and lack of adequate resources and facilities stop people from getting the help they need.
Those who are mentally ill tend to lose their sense of well-being, many their insights, and the balance between their physical and emotional state. Thus, providing basic care also becomes a challenge. It is needless to say that there is an acute shortage of trained Psychiatric Nurses as well in the country. In such a situation, a mental health caregiver can serve the basic needs of a mentally ill patient at home or in a hospital.
| Module | Duration | Curriculum |
|---|---|---|
| Unit I: Foundations of Mental Health |
2 hours |
|
| Unit II: Positive Mental Health and Recovery |
3 hours |
|
| Unit III: Therapeutic Approaches |
4 hours |
|
| Unit IV: Developmental Perspectives |
2 hours |
|
| Unit V: Mental Health Disorders |
8 hours |
|
| Unit VI: Community and Cultural Context |
3 hours |
|
| Subject | Hours | Content | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unit I | 2 | Basic care concept | |
| Unit 2 | 1 | Concept of Mental Health and Basic concept of mental illness | |
| Unit 3 | 1 | Approaches towards Mentally ill person | |
| Unit 4 | 1 | Therapeutic Communication including those physically challenged | |
| Unit 5 | 1 | Classification of Mental disorder | |
| Unit 6 | 2 | Psychosis | |
| Unit 7 | 2 | Neurosis | |
| Unit 8 | 2 | Personality Disorders & Substance abuse & related disorders | |
| Unit 9 | 1 | Organic Disorders | |
| Unit 10 | 1 | Mental Disorders of Children & Adolescents | |
| Unit 11 | 2 | Emergency Psychiatry & Commonly used Medicines in Psychiatry & side effects | |
| Unit 12 | 1 | Basic concept of Community Mental Health | |
| Unit 13 | 1 | Rehabilitation | |
| Unit 14 | 1 | Mental Health First Aid | |
| Total | 19 hours | ||
Health professionals and students, family caregivers, friends of and affected individuals, and others interested in learning about basic mental health care will benefit from this course. Whether you’re a professional or family carer, this course will help you better understand the person you’re caring for, and offer best practice advice on managing challenging behaviour and diffusing stressful situations. It will help you stay connected with your loved one with enhanced communication skills.
3 months
Teaching theory and clinical practice: 9 weeks
Examination (including preparation): 2 weeks
Public Holidays: 1 week
Total: 12 weeks
Theory: 19 hours (2 hours x 1 day x 9 weeks)
Clinical: 54 hours (6 hours x 1 day x 9 weeks)
The student seeking admission to this course should have:
Title: Certificate Course in Basic Mental Health Care
After completion of the course, the candidates will be equipped to work as caregivers for mentally ill patients in settings such as: • Households, Hospitals (government/private), clinics (government/private) and independent health care centres.
Admissions are open for the next batch. The admission form can be downloaded from the website or obtained from the AIHS office and submitted there.
Important note: Applicants from marginalized sections will be given preference. Deserving candidates will be given the scholarship.
| Payment Modules | Course Fee (INR.) |
|---|---|
| Registration Fees | 500 |
| Tuition Fees | 2,000 |
| Total Course Fees | 2,500 |
