COURSE OUTLINE
SCHOOL OF COMMUNITY SERVICES
COURSE NAME: Concurrent Disorders: Mental Health & Substance Abuse
COURSE CODE: SWRK 2083
CREDIT HOURS: 21
PREREQUISITES: SWRK 1035 & SWRK 1036
COREQUISITES: None
PLAR ELIGIBLE: YES
( X ) NO
( )
EFFECTIVE DATE: March 2011
PROFESSOR: Keith Cameron
PHONE:
OFFICE #:
EMAIL: kcameron75@gmail.com
NOTE TO STUDENTS: Academic Departments at George Brown College will NOT retain historical copies
of Course Outlines. We urge you to retain this Course Outline for your future reference.
FOR OFFICE USE ONLY
ORIGINATOR:__________________________________________________________________________
SIGNATURE
DATE
CHAIR:_________________________________________________________________________________
SIGNATURE
DATE
DATE OF REVISION:__________________________________________________
EQUITY STATEMENT: George Brown College values the talents and contributions of its students, staff and community
partners and seeks to create a welcoming environment where equity, diversity and safety of all groups are fundamental.
Language or activities which are inconsistent with this philosophy violate the College policy on the Prevention of
Discrimination and Harassment and will not be tolerated. The commitment and cooperation of all students and staff are
required to maintain this environment. Information and assistance are available through your Chair, Student Affairs,
the Student Association or the Human Rights Advisor.
George Brown College is dedicated to providing equal access to students with disabilities. If you require academic
accommodations visit the Disability Services Office or the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Office on your campus.
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES: Students should obtain a copy of the Student Handbook and refer to it for additional
information regarding the grading system, withdrawals, exemptions, class assignments, missed tests and exams,
supplemental privileges, and academic dishonesty. Students are required to apply themselves diligently to the course of
study, and to prepare class and homework assignments as given. Past student performance shows a strong relationship
between regular attendance and success.
COURSE NAME:
COURSE CODE:
PAGE: 1
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This courses builds on the previous courses in Substance Abuse and Mental Health;
emphasizing that most social service workers doing front line work encounter clients with
concurrent disorders. The history of separate systems of treatment for mental health and
substance use – and the way this contributes to poor outcomes –is examined. The role of
assessment is emphasized in distinguishing how the interaction of mental health issues and
substance abuse requires a multi-faceted treatment approach. The Biopsychosocial Model
is applied to complex case scenarios; as well, we explore counselling approaches useful in a
first session with concurrent disordered clients.
ESSENTIAL EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS:
As mandated by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities essential employability skills
(EES) will be addressed throughout all programs of study. Students will have the opportunity to learn
(L) specific skills, to practice (P) these skills, and/or be evaluated (E) on the EES outcomes in a
variety of courses. The EES include communication, numeracy, critical thinking & problem solving,
information management, interpersonal and personal skills. The faculty for this course has indicated
which of the EES are either Learned (L), Practiced (P) or Evaluated (E) in this course:
Skill
L
x
1. communicate clearly, concisely and
correctly in the written, spoken and
visual form that fulfills the purpose
and meets the needs of the
audience
2. respond to written, spoken or visual x
messages in a manner that ensures
effective communication
P
x
E
xx
7.
x
xx
8.
3. execute mathematical operations
accurately
4. apply a systematic approach to
solve problems
x
x
X
5. use a variety of thinking skills to
anticipate and solve problems
x
x
xx
6. analyze, evaluate, and apply
relevant information from a variety
of sources
xx
COURSE NAME:
COURSE CODE:
Skill
L
P
E
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
xx
x
x
x
locate, select, organize and
document information using
appropriate technology and
information sources
show respect for the diverse
opinions, values, belief
systems, and contributions
of others
9. interact with others in
groups or teams in ways that
contribute to effective
working relationships and
the achievement of goals
10. manage the use of time and
other resources to complete
projects
11. take responsibility for one’s
own actions, decisions and
consequences
PAGE: 2
COURSE OUTCOMES:
Upon successful completion of this course the students will have reliably demonstrated the
ability to:
1. Identify current barriers to an integrated system of treatment for concurrent disordered
clients.
2. Identify how mental health and substance abuse disorders overlap and require a multifaceted approach from social service workers
3. Understand how a Biopsychosocial Assessment combined with ‘first session’ counselling
techniques support recovery for concurrent disordered clients.
DELIVERY METHODS / LEARNING ACTIVITIES:
A combination of mini-lecture & small group work.
LIST OF TEXTBOOKS AND OTHER TEACHING AIDS:
Required:
1. Reading Package: SWRK 2083: Concurrent Mental Health & Substance Abuse:
Year 2: Social Service Worker
2. Health Canada Concurrent Disorders Best Practices Web Site.
Go to Google
Enter: ‘Best Practices Concurrent Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders’
(put single quotes around that!)
Select 2nd site listed:
[pdf] Concurrent Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders
Note: select PDF version listed for easy scrolling through document
This takes you to the Health Canada publication we are using.
Readings can easily be found by scrolling through the text.
TESTING POLICY:
One multiple choice quiz in Wk 3
One final multiple choice test will be written during the last class.
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PAGE: 3
ASSIGNMENT POLICY:
1. Group Assignments are completed in class. Assignments handed in after the end of
class will lose 3 marks.
2. If you are away for the group assignment or quiz, you are required to contact your
professor on the day of the assignment at the latest in order to access a make-up
assignment. No explantion for absence is required. No contact means a zero on that
assignment.
3. If you miss a second assignment/test or the final test, you must:
a. Make contact with the professor on the day of the assignment AND
b. Supply medical documentation to access any accommodations…otherwise, zero on
the assignment.
4. Those eligible will write a make-up assignment after the final test in Wk 7.
EVALUATION SYSTEM:
Assessment
Tool:
Description:
Outcome(s)
assessed:
Group Work
(3 students
max)
In-class small group
assignment
1, 4, 5, 9,
8, 10
Final Test
M. Choice
Quiz
*EES (see
below)
M. Choice
Attendance/participation
EES
assessed:
Date /
Week:
Communication
Critical
Thinking
Application
4, 5, 10
Critical
Thinking
Application of
Theory to
Practice
4,5,10
Same as above
1,4,5,9,8,10 All EES
Wk 5
% of
Final
Grade:
30%
Wk. 7
40%
Wk 3
Wks 1-7
20%
10%
TOTAL: 100%
*EES: Essential Employability Skills: This mark reflects a student’s ability to attend
regularly, behave appropriately in class and contribute to a positive learning atmosphere
by asking questions, contributing to discussions, bringing personal/professional
perspectives to discussions.
GRADING SYSTEM
The passing grade for this course is: __50%______
A+
A
A-
90-100
86-89
80-85
4.0
4.0
3.7
B+
B
B-
77-79
73-76
70-72
3.3
3.0
2.7
C+
C
C-
67-69
63-66
60-62
2.3
2.0
1.7
D+
D
57-59
50-56
1.3
1.0
Below 50
F
0.0
Excerpt from the College Policy on Academic Dishonesty:
COURSE NAME:
COURSE CODE:
PAGE: 4
The minimal consequence for submitting a plagiarized, purchased, contracted, or in any manner inappropriately
negotiated or falsified assignment, test, essay, project, or any evaluated material will be a grade of zero on that material.
To view George Brown College policies please go to www.georgebrown.ca/policies
TOPICAL OUTLINE
WEEK
1
OUTCOME
1.2
CONTENT
Context: Links to M.
Health 1 & 2, Substance
Abuse 1 & 2,
SOURCES
Reading Package
Wk 1
ASSIGNMENTS
Prevalence of CDs
Complexity:
The need for a C. Disorder
perspective
2
1.2.3.
History of Service Delivery
Reading Package
Wk 2
CAMH Model
Assessment Exercise
Health Canada
Website
pp. 93-98
(Appendix D)
Health Canada
pp. 70-86
3
1.2.3.4.5
Screening & Assessment
Issues
Index of Suspicion
Health Canada
pp. 7-13
pp. 28-39
pp. 40-44
4.
1.2.3.4.5
Causes of C. disorders:
c/o Gabor Mate:
Attachment Issues
Reading Package
Wk 4
In-class Quiz 20%
Counselling: The 1st
Session
5.
1.2.3.6
Treatment Issues:
Alcohol &
Trauma/Anxiety/Depression
Reading Package
Wk 5
6.
1,2,3,6
Treatment Issues:
Schizophrenia & Cannabis
Reading Package
Wk 6
In-class Group
Assignment
30%
Health Canada
pp. 53-56
7.
COURSE NAME:
COURSE CODE:
1,2,3,4,5
Final test
Make-up
Test: 40%
PAGE: 5
COURSE NAME:
COURSE CODE:
PAGE: 6