Study Guide

Objectives (course unit)

This course deepens understanding of the principles, client processes, work orientations, phenomena, and special issues related to mental health and substance abuse social work.

Upon completing the course, the student will:
• Know and be able to explain social work in the context of mental health and substance abuse.
• Be able to guide and support clients within the scope of their professional role.
• Critically evaluate the overall service system.
• Understand the impact of mental health and substance abuse issues on individuals of different ages and their families.
• Justify and apply various work orientations from a client-centered perspective.
• Understand the foundations of recovery orientation.
• Be aware of the fundamental principles of effective mental health and substance abuse work.

Content (course unit)

• Medicalization and neoliberalism
• Stigma and human rights-based social work
• Risks and consequences of substance abuse and mental health disorders across different age groups
• Dialogical and motivational approaches to helping
• Mini-interventions and early support
• Supporting recovery and rehabilitation
• Holistic approaches in mental health and substance abuse work
• Community-based care in substance abuse and mental health work
• Harm reduction and substitution treatment

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2) (course unit)

Student
• can describe phenomena related to goals, theory, and define fundamental concepts
• has not justified choices, solutions, or theoretical perspectives thoroughly; theoretical reasoning is straightforward

Assessment criteria, good (3-4) (course unit)

Student
• can apply theory and concepts, and organize information in relation to each other
• can narrow down problems and tasks, as well as justify solutions and choices
• can evaluate matters and examine them from different perspectives

Assessment criteria, excellent (5) (course unit)

Student
• can analyze information and actions, connecting them to a professional context
• can find improvement opportunities and justify various approaches and alternative solutions
• can creatively devise new solutions or combine existing ones

Assessment scale

0-5