Mental Health and Substance Abuse (5cr)

Objective

The students understand the phenomena and challenges related to mental health. They identify the special needs of client groups. They understand and are able to apply key legislation and basic concepts in the field. The students recognize the service system and are able to guide and support the client to the services. The students are able to reflect on their professional activities and identify the limits of their own professional competence in the work of a Bachelor of Social Services. The students are able to evaluate current discussions related to mental health and substance abuse and understand the importance of structural work in the fields of mental health and substance abuse.

Content

Mental health Protective factors / risk factors. Being normal / abnormal. History of mental health work. Mental health components. Challenges in Mental health. The students have the ability to support suicidal clients and their close ones. Supporting a person prone to suicide and loved ones. Substance use in the life of an individual. Addictions as phenomena. Trends in substance abuse work. Client-respecting encounters, speaking up and motivating. Legislation safeguarding the fundamental rights of the individual. The students are able to guide and support the client to services. Key services and guiding the client to them. Preventive, corrective and rehabilitative mental health and substance abuse work.

Location and time

Lecture schedule:

24.08.2026 13.00–16.00 Orientation + Theory of mental health and substance misuse work
28.08.2026 13.00–16.00 Practices in mental health and substance misuse work
14.09.2026 13.00–16.00 Practices in mental health and substance misuse work
15.09.2026 09.00–12.00 EXAM on Zoom
21.09.2026 13.00–16.00 Practical case-based exercises
02.10.2026 09.00–12.00 Online seminar: guest lecturers

In cases of absence, the student is obliged to complete a compensatory assignment specified by the teacher on pedagogical grounds.

Changes to the schedule are possible.

Materials

Material to be announced in the Moodle workspace.

LEGISLATION: Health Care Act 1326/2010; Social Welfare Act 1301/2014 and its 2024 implementation guide; Mental Health Act 1116/1990; Substance Abuse Services Act 1308/2014.

Teaching methods

The study unit may include, inter alia:
Seminar work
A Moodle exam
A learning assignment*1
THL’s online school

The study unit assignments will be specified later.

Completion of the study unit requires a pass in the assessment of all assignment components of the study unit.

Attendance at the orientation meeting is compulsory, and by participating in the orientation you confirm your place on the study unit. If you are unable to attend the orientation meeting, please agree the matter with the teacher.

Students must be prepared to use a camera and microphone in all online lectures and in the seminar.

Employer connections

Seminars and a learning assignment

Exam schedules

Moodle exam concerning legislation and services
- The exam is a single attempt, and its points account for 30 per cent of the study unit’s overall grade.

A resit exam will be organised one month after the first exam.

International connections

Opintojaksoon liittyy verkkovaihto Frankfurtilaisen korkeakoulun kanssa.

Completion alternatives

An application related to the recognition and validation of prior learning (RPL) must be submitted before the start of the study unit.

RPL Coordinator: Anu Pellinen

Student workload

A five-credit study unit corresponds to approximately 135 hours of workload. One credit corresponds to approximately 27 hours of workload.

Evaluation methods and criteria

Overall grade, numerical assessment 0-5:
- Seminar presentations and seminar participation (Pass-Fail)
- THL online course (Pass-Fail)
- Learning assignment (0-5, 70 percent of the overall course grade)
- Moodle exam (30 percent of the overall course grade)

All components must be completed in order to receive the overall grade. Successful completion of the course requires active participation in contact teaching sessions and submission of course assignments according to the schedule. Late submission may result in a lower grade.

Assessments are carried out according to the degree regulations within four weeks of submitting assignments. Periods of leave will extend the assessment period by the length of the leave.

Assessment criteria are the general assessment criteria of Metropolia. The terminology of the assessment framework, competence levels, and stages of professional development are adapted to suit the described course and degree programme.

The student is able to:

Excellent 5
- use discipline-specific terminology and knowledge expertly
- justify the use of information sources
- justify actions based on research or reports
- operate in varied and international duties and work situations
- act in a client-oriented and business-minded manner
- act responsibly and with consideration for safety
- justify actions according to the ethical principles of the profession
- organise and supervise the activities of a group and project

Good 4-3
- use discipline-specific terminology and knowledge consistently
- search for information and critically evaluate and use information sources
- apply theoretical knowledge in professional tasks
- use professional competence in various work duties
- act independently and responsibly in professional situations
- plan actions with consideration for safety
- act according to the ethical principles of the profession
- work purposefully in a team and in projects

Satisfactory 2-1 or Pass
- demonstrate familiarity with the field’s knowledge base and core content
- search for information from diverse sources
- operate in various tasks in different operational environments
- demonstrate achievement of core competence objectives
- demonstrate familiarity with key safety practices in the profession
- act according to ethical principles
- contribute own expertise to the group or project

Fail 0
- lacks sufficient knowledge or appreciation of the field
- does not know or cannot use discipline-specific terminology
- insufficient professional skills
- does not act according to training and guidance
- does not seek to develop oneself or one’s actions
- is indifferent to safety or ethical conduct within the profession
- is unmotivated or does not participate in group or development work

The terminology of the assessment framework, competence levels, and stages of professional development are adapted to suit the described course and degree programme.

Evaluation scale

0-5