Health, Public Health & Safety
Mental Health Studies: Suicide, Violent Behaviour & Substance Abuse
Community mental health awareness, first-line support and safe referral.
Syllabus 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 |
Module breakdown
- 1
Mental health concepts and stigma
Weeks 1–2Build a shared working vocabulary for mental health concepts and stigma and set the standards this course expects of you.
What you cover
- Key concepts, terminology and standards behind mental health concepts and stigma
- Step-by-step methods and templates for mental health concepts and stigma
- Common problems, risks and mistakes in mental health concepts and stigma, and how to avoid them
- Applying mental health concepts and stigma in low-resource and community settings
Assessed work: Case study discussion applying mental health concepts and stigma to a local scenario.
- 2
Common conditions and warning signs
Weeks 3–4Work through the methods and tools used for common conditions and warning signs in day-to-day programme work.
What you cover
- Step-by-step methods and templates for common conditions and warning signs
- Common problems, risks and mistakes in common conditions and warning signs, and how to avoid them
- Applying common conditions and warning signs in low-resource and community settings
Assessed work: Practical task: draft one working document related to common conditions and warning signs.
- 3
Suicide risk awareness and safe response
Weeks 5–6Practise suicide risk awareness and safe response on realistic case material drawn from Sierra Leonean community and field settings.
What you cover
- Common problems, risks and mistakes in suicide risk awareness and safe response, and how to avoid them
- Applying suicide risk awareness and safe response in low-resource and community settings
- Recording, reporting and communicating your suicide risk awareness and safe response work
Assessed work: Group simulation using suicide risk awareness and safe response under time pressure.
- 4
Violent behaviour, de-escalation and safety
Weeks 7–8Turn violent behaviour, de-escalation and safety into documents, plans and decisions your team or employer can actually use.
What you cover
- Applying violent behaviour, de-escalation and safety in low-resource and community settings
- Recording, reporting and communicating your violent behaviour, de-escalation and safety work
- Key concepts, terminology and standards behind violent behaviour, de-escalation and safety
Assessed work: Portfolio entry: reflect on how you will use violent behaviour, de-escalation and safety in your role.
- 5
Psychological first aid, referral and self-care
Weeks 9–12Review, quality-check and improve your own psychological first aid, referral and self-care work with tutor and peer feedback.
What you cover
- Recording, reporting and communicating your psychological first aid, referral and self-care work
- Key concepts, terminology and standards behind psychological first aid, referral and self-care
- Step-by-step methods and templates for psychological first aid, referral and self-care
Assessed work: Guided exercise: produce a short worked example covering psychological first aid, referral and self-care.
Who this course is for
- • Practitioners and volunteers already working in, or moving into, this area of work.
- • Health workers, facility staff and community health volunteers.
- • School leavers and graduates building a first professional portfolio.
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.
How you are assessed
- • Short module tasks completed during the course.
- • 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.
Materials and 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.
Certification
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.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the certificate you should be able to:
- Recognise warning signs and respond safely
- Apply psychological first aid
- Refer to available support services
Practical component
Case-based practice with supervised role-play and reflection.
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.
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.