CDS: Introduction to Mental Health and Mental Illnesses

Activities, Exercises, and Tools Found in each Lesson

CDS: Introduction to Mental Health and Mental Illnesses

The lessons in this course include activities, written exercises, and/or tools. These will help you think about the content and ideas presented. You may want to discuss these with a supervisor, a person being supported, or a coworker. This can help you get more out of the content. These can also help you to apply the content in real work settings. The reflection exercises may also be used as a form of assessment. Supervisors and trainers may use these materials to understand your views and comprehension of the content. They may review them with you or use them as part of training opportunities. The following pages in the lessons have activities, exercises, or tools.

Lesson 1: CDS-E: Overview of Mental Health and the Role of the DSP

Page 9: Activity: Reflection on Well-Being
Page 10: Activity: Facts About Mental Health
Page 15: Activity: Defining Mental Health
Page 23: Activity: Reflection on Trauma
Page 24: Tool: Factors Related to Mental Health Conditions
Page 41: Activity: Reflection on Learner Objectives

Lesson 2: CDS-E: An Overview of Common Mental Illnesses, Responses, and Service

Page 3: Activity: Reflection on Texas Fight Club
Page 15: Activity: Trends in Mental Health
Page 20: Activity: Treatment and Response to Mental Illness
Page 46: Activity: Reviewing Symptoms
Page 54: Activity: Reflection on Learner Objectives

Lesson 3: CDS-E-S: Psychotropic Medications – Uses and Issues

Page 3: Activity: Knowledge of Psychotropic Medications
Page 7: Tool: Checklist of Holistic Issues
Page 8: Activity: Mental Health Recovery Assessment
Page 11: Tool: Health and Medication History
Page 13: Activity: Reflection on Medication Errors and Risks
Page 22: Activity: Medication Risks
Page 28: Activity: Reflection on Managing Risks
Page 30: Tool: Medication for Psychosis
Page 35: Tool: Unipolar Depression Medication
Page 39: Tool: Bipolar Disorder Medication
Page 42: Tool: Anxiety Medications
Page 45: Tool: ADHD Medications
Page 48: Activity: Types of Medications
Page 54: Activity: Handling Medication Refusal
Page 58: Activity: Reflection on Medication Refusal
Page 59: Activity: Reflection on Learner Objectives

Lesson 4: CDS-I-S: Supporting People with Mental Health Conditions in the Community

Page 8: Activity: Support Roles
Page 14: Activity: Peer Support Specialist
Page 21: Activity: Making Choices
Page 23: Activity: Reflection on Goals and Support
Page 34: Activity: Types of Plans
Page 40: Activity: Reflection on Trauma
Page 43: Activity: Reflection on Respect, Hope, and Empowerment
Page 46: Activity: Reflection on Trauma-Informed Care
Page 53: Activity: Caregiver Burnout
Page 54: Activity: Reflection on Caregiver Burnout
Page 55: Activity: Reflection on Learner Objectives

Lesson 5: CDS-E-S: DSP Support Strategies

Page 10: Activity: Positive Behavior Support
Page 18: Activity: Reflection on Boundaries
Page 25: Activity: Reflection on Strategies and Techniques
Page 34: Activity: Support Strategies
Page 40: Activity: Reflection on Crisis Prevention, Planning, and Action
Page 45: Activity: Taking Action in Crisis
Page 47: Activity: Reflection on Learner Objectives

Lesson 6: CDS-I-S: Systems Issues and Solutions in Mental Health

Page 9: Activity: Reflection on System Issues
Page 14: Activity: Choice and Control
Page 19: Activity: Reflection on Bias
Page 20: Activity: Reflection on Diversity in Mental Health
Page 30: Activity: Personal Advocacy
Page 31: Activity: Reflection on Rights
Page 35: Activity: Reflection on Advocacy
Page 37: Activity: Reflection on Responses
Page 42: Activity: Reflection on Health
Page 44: Activity: Lifestyle Assessment
Page 51: Activity: Reflection on Learner Objectives