What you will learn
- Learners will gain an understanding of social, economic, and environmental justice in the context of mental health services at the individual and system levels.
- Learners will be able to discuss the history of mental health in the United States including deinstitutionalization, basic symptoms of mental health disorders, and the impact of stigma surrounding mental health disorders and care.
- Learners will be able to apply theories and perspectives to the impact of policies, criminalization and societal views on mental health.
- Learners will demonstrate self-awareness of their own mental health, recognize their own bias and personal assumptions about mental health disorders in order to better serve unique and vulnerable populations.
- Learners will demonstrate an understanding of the strengths and challenges of diverse groups, as well as how life situations and societal factors affect symptoms of mental health disorders and access to services.
As humans are continuously faced with challenges in our lives and in our society, it is essential to grow a trauma informed, and culturally grounded workforce of helpers. This program will explore the history and treatment of individuals with mental health disorders in the United States. Learners will explore the unique opportunities and challenges faced by social workers, and prepare them to provide case management and assessment services to people with mental health disorders.
Utilizing a strengths-based framework and a recovery model, the aim is to help those with mental health challenges to move beyond survival and empower them to thrive with the premise that (1) It is possible to recover from mental health challenges, and (2) The most effective recovery is client-directed. This approach is based on four dimensions of recovery
- health
- home
- purpose
- community
Created by a social work educator and licensed clinical social work with a private practice, this certificate program will prepare learners for jobs in organizations focused on mental health treatment and recovery using a strength-based lens and honoring the vast diversity of experiences and ways of knowing and being.
Courses in this program
AlaskaX's Mental Health in Social Work Professional Certificate
- 4–6 hours per week, for 6 weeks
This course will explore the history and treatment of individuals with mental health disorders in the United States. Learners will be introduced to diagnoses, current treatment, and social impacts to care.
- 4–6 hours per week, for 6 weeks
This course prepares learners to utilize a person-centered approach to mental health assessment and case management. Learners will also be introduced to community-based models of care and working with interdisciplinary teams.
- Social Workers gain licensure in the order of LBSW, LMSW, and LCSW (bachelors, masters, licensed clinical). Each provides more specific and advanced work conditions.
- Social Workers typically earn from $37K-$63K depending on licensure, specialty and location (source Bureau of Labor Statistics May 2021 Report)
- BSW Students are often offered positions in agencies in which they completed their practicum placement, and are also well prepared to enter a Masters in Social Work program upon graduation.
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