In the Field of Mental Health since 1972
The Basic Mental Healthcare Course, offered by the Antara Institute of Health Sciences (AIHS), is a practical training programme designed to equip frontline healthcare support staff with essential skills for caring for individuals with mental health conditions. The course focuses on patient observation, therapeutic communication, recognising behavioural changes, responding to emergencies and maintaining a safe and supportive care environment.
Through theory sessions, demonstrations, supervised practice and ward-based learning, participants develop practical skills to support patients with dignity and work effectively alongside healthcare teams.
Certificate Course.
3 Months
40 Hours
10th Pass, Physically Fit
Admissions Open for November 2026
Gain comprehensive knowledge of core mental health principles and understand various forms of mental illnesses.
Learn effective verbal and non-verbal communication strategies to handle difficult situations and behaviours.
Identify early signs of emotional or behavioral changes and provide immediate supportive response to distress.
Develop critical skills for managing emergency situations safely and ensuring optimal care recipient protection.
Master standard daily care practices, health monitoring techniques, and accurate observation protocols.
Ensure secure environments by identifying environmental hazards and managing controlled item restrictions.
Understand the safe operation of medical equipment and standard protocols for biomedical waste disposal.
Learn essential fire safety protocols, evacuation procedures, and coordinated responses during critical incidents.
The course is particularly suitable for frontline healthcare support staff, psychiatric care assistants and hospital ward staff involved in patient care who wish to develop essential skills in mental healthcare.
The programme emphasises practical, competency-based learning, helping participants apply essential care skills in everyday healthcare settings while supporting patient dignity, safety and well-being.
Download the prospectus for detailed information about the course curriculum, eligibility, training approach and assessment.
For enquiries: +91 8420700252
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 |
