Basic Mental Health Care Certificate Course
Basic Mental Health Care Certificate Course
Antara Institute of Health Sciences, the educational wing of Antara Society of Mental Health Sciences believes that mental health caregivers need to be trained in providing basic care to mentally ill patients in clinical and community setting. Antara Society of Mental Health Sciences is a voluntary, non-profit, secular and charitable organization founded in 2021. One of the objectives of the society is to develop mental health sciences and train competent professionals to treat mental health patients by setting up learning centers, knowledge hubs, and other related initiatives. We aim to promote education through rights-based approaches for all people.
Course Description
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.
Who will benefit from this course?
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.
Course Objectives
By the end of the course, the students will be able to,
- Understand the basic concepts of mental health.
- Demonstrate skills in effective communication to the patients.
- Establish good interpersonal relationship with patients.
- Provide basic mental health care to the patients.
- Identify mental health emergencies and provide mental health first aid.
Course of Studies:
Theory: 19 hours (2 hours x 1 day x 9 weeks)
Clinical: 54 hours (6 hours x 1 day x 9 weeks)
Clinical Experience:
| Sl. no | Area of Posting | Duration |
| 1 | Acute Psychiatric Ward | 18 hours (6 hours/day) |
| 2 | Chronic Psychiatric Ward | 18 hours (6 hours/day) |
| 3 | De-addiction Ward | 6 hours |
| 4 | Child Psychiatric Unit | 6 hours |
| 5 | Community Mental Health Unit | 3 hours |
| 6 | OPD | 3 hours |
| Total | 54 hours |
Examination Scheme:
Theory: 50 marks
Practical: 50 marks
Total: 100 marks
The examination to be conducted by AIHS
Conditions for Admission to Examination:
The student should have attended 75% of theory and practical sessions.
Standard of Passing:
In order to pass the candidate should obtain 50% marks separately in theory and practical examinations.
Students will be given opportunity of maximum 2 attempts for passing.
Certification:
Title: Certificate Course in Basic Mental Health Care
- b) A certificate is awarded upon successful completion of the course which will state that
- i) Candidate has completed the course
- ii) Candidate has had clinical experience at hospital
iii) Candidate has passed the prescribed examination.
Duration of the Course
3 months
Distribution of the course in weeks:
Teaching theory and clinical practice: 9 weeks
Examination (including preparation): 2 weeks
Public Holidays : 1 week
Total: 12 weeks
Eligibility for the Course
The student seeking admission to this course should have:
- Passed Madhyamik (class x)
- Be physically and mentally fit
What will be Your Work Prospects after the Course?
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.
Admission Procedure
Admissions are open for the next batch from April to June 2024. 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.
Course Fees
Registration Fees ₹. 500/-
*Tuition Fees ₹. 2000/-
Curriculum
| 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 |