Integrated Approaches to Addiction and Mental Health Work

There is a tendency for addiction and mental health to be viewed separately from other areas such as trauma/ violence as though they have unique causes and outcomes. Taking an integrated perspective not only improves the student's understanding of addiction but also invites them to understand collaboration across disciplines rather than in silos. In this course, students will begin to link theory with practice in addiction and mental health work, demonstrating that how one understands addictions will determine the response to it. Students will reflect on their own "theories" of addiction and mental health and will use this self-reflection as a starting point for discussion of key theoretical frameworks in the addiction and mental health field. Students will describe and examine their theories using the anti-oppressive approach. Students will apply their self-reflection and learning to include a multidimensional theory of addiction and mental health that takes into account biological, psychological, social, and structural factors. Students will be able to apply addiction and mental health within a number of intersecting causes and influences with a range of individual, social and social-structural interventions and possible responses.

Note: Check with the institution regarding start/ end dates, prices, and delivery method. These may vary according to program, section, and/or semester.