Health, Public Health & Safety
Mental Health Studies: Suicide, Violent Behaviour & Substance Abuse
Community mental health awareness, first-line support and safe referral.
View prospectus
Programme rationale
Community mental health awareness, first-line support and safe referral. The programme is structured for learners who need practical, assessable capability they can connect to real responsibilities while continuing work or other commitments.
Programme at a glance
Around 12 weeks of guided study, typically two sessions a week plus independent work, so you can keep working while you study.
| Unit | Study block | Module |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Weeks 1–2 | Mental health concepts and stigma |
| 2 | Weeks 3–4 | Common conditions and warning signs |
| 3 | Weeks 5–6 | Suicide risk awareness and safe response |
| 4 | Weeks 7–8 | Violent behaviour, de-escalation and safety |
| 5 | Weeks 9–12 | Psychological first aid, referral and self-care |
Target audience & entry requirements
Target audience
- • Health workers, facility teams, safety focal persons and community health volunteers.
- • Programme staff whose work includes prevention, preparedness, surveillance, safety or community engagement.
- • Learners seeking structured professional development in public-health and safety practice.
Entry requirements
- • Basic literacy and secondary-level education, or relevant practical work experience.
- • Access to a phone, tablet or computer for online and blended study.
- • Commitment to attend sessions and submit assignments on time.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the programme, learners should be able to:
- Recognise warning signs and respond safely
- Apply psychological first aid
- Refer to available support services
Detailed modules
Each module below follows this programme’s published syllabus and contributes to the final practical work.
- 1
Mental health concepts and stigma
Weeks 1–2Study mental health concepts and stigma in the context of health, Public Health & Safety, connecting essential concepts with practical decisions and professional documentation.
What you cover
- Essential concepts and terminology within mental health concepts and stigma
- Methods, tools and professional standards used in practice
- Application through a relevant case, task or workplace scenario
Assessed work: Complete a guided case task applying mental health concepts and stigma to a realistic setting.
- 2
Common conditions and warning signs
Weeks 3–4Study common conditions and warning signs in the context of health, Public Health & Safety, connecting essential concepts with practical decisions and professional documentation.
What you cover
- Essential concepts and terminology within common conditions and warning signs
- Methods, tools and professional standards used in practice
- Application through a relevant case, task or workplace scenario
Assessed work: Complete a guided case task applying common conditions and warning signs to a realistic setting.
- 3
Suicide risk awareness and safe response
Weeks 5–6Apply suicide risk awareness and safe response through systematic risk identification, proportionate controls, safe documentation and escalation.
What you cover
- Hazards, exposure and professional responsibilities within suicide risk awareness and safe response
- Prevention, control and response measures
- Inspection, recording, referral and improvement actions
Assessed work: Complete a scenario-based risk, control or referral exercise for suicide risk awareness and safe response.
- 4
Violent behaviour, de-escalation and safety
Weeks 7–8Apply violent behaviour, de-escalation and safety through systematic risk identification, proportionate controls, safe documentation and escalation.
What you cover
- Hazards, exposure and professional responsibilities within violent behaviour, de-escalation and safety
- Prevention, control and response measures
- Inspection, recording, referral and improvement actions
Assessed work: Complete a scenario-based risk, control or referral exercise for violent behaviour, de-escalation and safety.
- 5
Psychological first aid, referral and self-care
Weeks 9–12Build hands-on competence in psychological first aid, referral and self-care through guided demonstrations, practice files and portfolio work.
What you cover
- Core tools and workflow for psychological first aid, referral and self-care
- Production standards, file management and responsible use
- Creating, reviewing and presenting a finished output
Assessed work: Complete a portfolio-ready output demonstrating psychological first aid, referral and self-care.
Practical project / portfolio
Case-based practice with supervised role-play and reflection.
Teaching & learning approach
- Tutor-led explanation and demonstration focused on the published module topics.
- Guided practice using cases, scenarios, templates or production tasks relevant to the programme.
- Individual and group feedback that helps learners improve work before final submission.
- Flexible online, face-to-face or blended participation, with evening and weekend scheduling where available.
Assessment & completion
- • Short applied tasks linked to the published modules.
- • Practical component: Case-based practice with supervised role-play and reflection.
- • A final assessment or portfolio review covering the full syllabus.
- • Participation in guided sessions, discussions and group exercises.
Learner support
- • Session handouts, checklists and templates you keep after the course.
- • Case material and worked examples based on community and field practice.
- • Tutor guidance by WhatsApp between sessions.
How this programme is delivered
Online
Guided sessions and assignments you can follow from anywhere with a connection.
Face-to-face
Classroom sessions at our Mile 91 learning centre, including weekend and evening options.
Blended
A mix of online study with periodic in-person workshops, field exercises and simulations.
Career & professional pathways
This programme supports professional development; it does not guarantee employment, promotion or entry to a regulated occupation.
- Strengthen performance in community health, facility support, safety, preparedness or programme-assistant roles.
- Use the practical project as evidence of applied professional development in your current workplace.
- Progress to related SLIHSD public-health, safety or emergency-management study where available.
Fees & enrolment
- • Indicative programme fee: SLE 2,500.
- • One-off indicative registration fee: SLE 100.
- • Final fees, start date, delivery arrangement and any instalment option are confirmed in writing before commitment.
- • Submitting an application does not require payment and does not guarantee admission.
Regulatory & recognition notice
SLIHSD is a developing professional learning institution. Accreditation and formal recognition are subject to applicable regulatory approvals. Completion records an SLIHSD professional short course and is not presented as an accredited academic award.
Learners who complete all assessments receive an SLIHSD professional certificate of completion. This records completion of an SLIHSD short course and is not presented as an accredited academic award.
Ready to start Mental Health Studies: Suicide, Violent Behaviour & Substance Abuse?
Applications for the Founding Student Intake 2026 are open. Register your interest and we will guide you to the right programme.