Aim of the Course: This course aims to introduce you to the field of mental health so you can start recognizing mental health issues with individuals as well as mental health needs within communities. By the conclusion of this course, you should be able to do the following: 

Recognize some of the symptoms of mental disorders

Respond reasonably to people experiencing symptoms of mental disorders

Refer people experiencing possible mental disorders to appropriate services

Offer Support in a basic way, to people with mental disorders and their families.

Promote mental health awareness within your communities. 

Please note, this course is not designed to prepare participants to be independent mental health practitioners – further training is required to achieve this goal. 

Structure of the Course:  The course will introduce the participants to the fundamental concepts of mental health including the background and history of Psychiatry. The total duration of the program will be 8 to 10 hours. Each session or video will have its objectives and will consist of presentations by the facilitator as well as interactive online discussions or activities that involve the group. 

The session will introduce participants to fundamental concepts in mental health including background and history after which the concept and process of case history taking in mental health will be introduced.  The program will also touch upon common mental disorders including Bipolar Affective Disorder, Depression, Schizophrenia and anxiety disorders. And finally, the program will orient participants to the basic concepts employed in the medical and psychological management of mental disorders.

Proposed content for the training is provided below, however, this may be subject to slight alterations.  Since the program is spread over two weeks it will allow the participants to reflect, clarify and delve into the next concept with stronger fundamentals.

Who is the course for: This training is designed for anyone interested in the field of mental health irrespective of their background. The course is also suitable for individuals who may know a friend or a loved one with a mental health issue and would like to understand more.  It can also be valuable to you if have in the past or are presently facing mental health issues. And finally, the course is also suitable for students as well as health workers and volunteers who would like to deepen their understanding of mental health

Interactive session: At the end of the course you will get an opportunity to interact with the faculty, clear your queries and double-check areas you are not sure about.  The maximum number of participants for this live online session would be 20. Participants can select the time option convenient to them in the event selection after the last module.

Your facilitators: Your facilitators are psychiatrists and clinical psychologists with experience in helping clients facing mental health issues.