Psychiatric Mental Health and Illness Across the Lifespan
** available as of 01/01/2027
** available as of 01/01/2027
This course focuses on knowledge and competencies to deliver holistic, evidence-based mental health care across diverse populations and clinical settings. Students will examine the biological, psychological, social, and spiritual dimensions of mental illness and psychiatric disorders throughout the lifespan. Emphasis is placed on therapeutic communication, psychopharmacology, trauma-informed care, crisis intervention, and collaborative treatment planning within interprofessional teams. Students will develop assessment skills, clinical reasoning, and self-reflexive competencies essential for providing person-centered psychiatric care that respects human dignity across the mental health-illness continuum.
Outcomes: Apply knowledge of neurobiology, psychopathology, and developmental theories to conduct comprehensive psychiatric assessments and formulate evidence-based person-centered treatment plans; Analyze therapeutic communication techniques, trauma-informed care, and evidence-based psychotherapeutic interventions to develop therapeutic relationships and support care and recovery across the lifespan; Apply pharmacological principles and psychopharmacology evidence to evaluate medication management strategies, monitor treatment responses, and educate patients about psychotropic medications and side effects; Understand risk factors for self-harm, suicide, violence, and psychiatric emergencies to implement evidence-based crisis intervention strategies and maintain safe therapeutic environments; Recognize interprofessional mental health teams, community resources, and support systems to develop comprehensive, recovery-oriented treatment plans that address the holistic needs of individuals with mental illness and address stigma related to mental illness; Understand ethical principles, legal standards, and mental health policy to navigate complex mental health dilemmas including confidentiality, informed consent, involuntary treatment, equitable care, and capacity determination while respecting patient autonomy and rights.
Outcomes: Apply knowledge of neurobiology, psychopathology, and developmental theories to conduct comprehensive psychiatric assessments and formulate evidence-based person-centered treatment plans; Analyze therapeutic communication techniques, trauma-informed care, and evidence-based psychotherapeutic interventions to develop therapeutic relationships and support care and recovery across the lifespan; Apply pharmacological principles and psychopharmacology evidence to evaluate medication management strategies, monitor treatment responses, and educate patients about psychotropic medications and side effects; Understand risk factors for self-harm, suicide, violence, and psychiatric emergencies to implement evidence-based crisis intervention strategies and maintain safe therapeutic environments; Recognize interprofessional mental health teams, community resources, and support systems to develop comprehensive, recovery-oriented treatment plans that address the holistic needs of individuals with mental illness and address stigma related to mental illness; Understand ethical principles, legal standards, and mental health policy to navigate complex mental health dilemmas including confidentiality, informed consent, involuntary treatment, equitable care, and capacity determination while respecting patient autonomy and rights.