Methods of mental health support and substance abuse work (5cr)

Objective

Students
• can apply psychosocial approaches in mental health and substance abuse work
• can describe and apply information on the significance of a confidential and supportive collaboration relationship in the treatment of different customers/patients
• can apply their knowledge of pharmacotherapy as they plan, execute and assess a customer’s/patient’s pharmacotherapy
• can analyse the main principles of community treatment, psychoeducation and debriefing
• are familiar with the process of crisis work and know how to support customers/patients of different ages and in various life situations and guide them to appropriate crisis services
• are familiar with the key Finnish methods of intervening in and preventing bullying in schools, daycare and work communities
• are familiar with the job supervision of individuals, teams and work communities or the job supervision discussions in the development of expertise

Content

• key methods in substance abuse and mental health work
• a confidential and supportive working relationship
• acute crisis and crisis services
• intervention methods for bullying in different environments
• interaction and guidance skills in substance abuse and mental health work
• job supervision and its significance
• pharmacotherapy in substance abuse and mental health work

Qualifications

Suitable for nurses, public health nurses, and midwives to deepen and update their skills, or for health sector university of applied sciences students who have already completed the relevant professional basic studies in their degree. The requirement for transitioning to advanced studies is approximately 120 credits or another specific reason agreed upon with a study counselor. Open university students should have equivalent knowledge (a corresponding course from another university of applied sciences or sufficient work experience as a nurse).

Further information

RPL 8/2025:
Recognition of prior learning (RPL) is possible only if the student has a previous nursing degree or equivalent higher education studies leading to a nursing degree.