CDS: Introduction to Mental Health and Mental Illnesses

Lesson Descriptions and Learning Objectives

---

Lesson Descriptions and Learning Objectives

CDS: Introduction to Mental Health and Mental Illnesses

This is a list of lessons found in this course with their description and learning objectives:

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

Lesson Description

Mental illness affects people of all ages and from all backgrounds. Mental health is an important part of a person’s overall well-being. This lesson provides a basic overview of mental health and mental illness. It includes causes and the importance of timely and accurate diagnosis. The lesson also provides information on how to take an active role in the mental health system while working as a direct support professional (DSP).

Learning Objective

After completing this lesson, you will be able to:

• Take an active role in community mental health as a DSP
• Define mental health and mental illness
• Describe the causes of mental illness
• Support an effective and timely diagnostic process
• Provide support for the individual needs and experiences of people living with mental illness and their family members

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

Lesson Description

Mental illness is not new. But our understanding of causes and appropriate responses has changed over the years. In this lesson, you will learn more about the history of how mental illness has been viewed. You will learn about signs, symptoms, and specific treatments used today. You will review medical practices that have been shown to be effective. You will also learn about some holistic responses and service options.

Learning Objective

After completing this lesson, you will be able to:

• Recognize how past and present beliefs about mental illnesses affect responses and describe some likely future trends in mental health care
• Identify a range of helpful responses to mental illnesses
• Recognize basic signs and symptoms of common mental illnesses and specific helpful responses for each
• Identify service options available for people who experience serious mental illness

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

Lesson Description

Medication is often used to help manage the signs and symptoms of mental illness. Medication used for this purpose is sometimes called psychotropic medication. This lesson will provide you with information about psychotropics. It also includes their uses and your role.

Learning Objective

After completing this lesson, you will be able to:

• Use best practice in medication support
• Identify potential problems and risks of use, misuse, and under use of psychotropics and take steps to reduce risks for people receiving support
• Recognize major classifications of psychotropic medications, how they work, and common or serious side effects
• Respond appropriately to medication refusal

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

Lesson Description

Mental health conditions affect millions of people every day. Having a serious mental illness can be life altering. The supports that are available to a person can have an important impact on recovery.

Learning Objective

After completing this lesson, you will be able to:

• Describe the roles of those who help treat and support people living with mental illness
• Identify and support recovery and illness management goals for each person supported
• Recognize types and purposes of formal and informal plans and contribute when asked
• Provide trauma-informed care
• Recognize and prevent caregiver burnout in yourself and others

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

Lesson Description

Supporting a person living with mental illness in a community setting takes skill and effort. There are some unique strategies that are likely to be more successful. Co-occurring conditions can complicate things. But these same strategies can be used with adaptations to support anyone with mood or thought disorders. This lesson will assist you to develop these skills.

Learning Objective

After completing this lesson, you will be able to:

• Use positive behavior support to provide mental health support
• Effectively set and respect positive boundaries
• Use a variety of strategies and techniques when working with individuals
• Engage in crisis prevention, planning, and action when necessary

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

Lesson Description

It is well known that the current services for a person living with mental illness are not adequate. There are many barriers to early identification and treatment. There are many barriers to obtaining person-centered, high quality care in the community. This lesson provides an overview of some of the critical issues in mental health. It also provides steps that a direct support professional (DSP) can implement to overcome or minimize these issues for those they support.

Learning Objective

After completing this lesson, you will be able to:

• Describe current mental health system issues and recognize specific risks for a person receiving support
• Provide person-centered support
• Be an advocate and resource for high quality services and support
• Take an active role in supporting both mental and physical health for each person