Mental health and substance abuse care (5cr)

Evaluation scale

0 - 5

Content scheduling

Orientation, guidance for independent study
Positive mental health and mental health promotion
Legislation
Involuntary treatment process in the Mental Health Act
Mental health and addiction nursing services (public, private, third sector, electronic services)

Independent studies:
Theme summary test in Reppu
Skhole: Psychiatry


Anxiety as a feeling and emotion and nursing care for a person with anxiety disorders
Crisis work
Nursing care for a depressed person
Nursing care for a Psychotic person
Nursing care for a person with addiction issues

Indipendent studies: Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare website online course and test: Suicide prevention
Mieli ry website: eating disorders

Approaching an aggressive person and models of action in different situations

Indipendent studies: Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare website: Recognizing intimate partner violence and guiding the person in such situations

Psychotropic medication management

Workshops:
Dialogical approach
Therapeutic relationship work
Mindfulness
Psychoeducation
Motivational interviewing
Brief intervention

Simulations

Group exam

Objective

The student:
Will be able to engage in dialogue with people in crisis who are suffering from mental health problems and addiction.
Will be able to support them as needed, in a capacity-building manner and by strengthening their participation in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of care in cooperation with those involved in their care.
Understands the concept of domestic violence, recognize potential domestic violence, and know how to guide clients and patients in such situations.
Utilizes assistance methods used in mental health and substance abuse care as well as electronic health services.
Understand methods used in suicide prevention work

Accomplishment methods

Lectures, self-studies, on-line studies,and simulation

Content

Foundations for mental health and substance abuse care:
Positive mental health and mental health promotion
Suicide prevention
Mental health legislations in Finland
Mental health and substance abuse services in Finland (public, private, third sector, electronic services)

Supporting people in crisis:
Crisis work
Resource-based nursing care for people with mental health problems and/or addiction problems
Nursing care for people with depression
Nursing care for people with suicidal tendencies
Nursing care for people with eating disorders
Nursing care for people with addiction problems
Care for people with psychotic symptoms and psychosis
Reliance on resources in mental health and substance abuse care

Dialogue
Motivational conversation
Care relationship work
Mini-intervention
Psychoeducation
Electronic methods supporting self-care
Psychiatric medication

Patient safety competence in mental health and substance abuse nursing:
Encountering aggressive people and modes of operation in different situations
Recognizing domestic violence and guidance skills in such situations

Psychiatry and substance abuse medicine:
Addiction problems
Mental illnesses

Location and time

Spring 2026. For a more detailed plan, see Content Sequence, Progression.
Contact teaching Kajaani University of Applied Sciences online teaching Reppu.

Materials

Study material will be announced on the Reppu.

Independent studies:
Skhole; Psychiatry
Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare website online course and test: Suicide prevention
Mieli ry website: eating disorders
Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare website: Recognizing intimate partner violence and guiding the person in such situations

Exam materials:
Independent study materials
Reppu materials
Skhole materials

Teaching methods

Contact teaching; teaching discussion, lectures, practice workshops and simulation teaching.
The studies are realised as contact teaching and online teaching.
The studies are designed to proceed in a certain order so that competence develops from the basics to the applied level.

Some of the online tasks are carried out as compulsory (Department of Health and Welfare Suicide Prevention online school and information test).
In classroom classes, attendance is mandatory for M-marked training and simulation classes.

In the assignments of this course, the output should be created without the help of artificial intelligence. Students should use only their own knowledge, understanding and skills. The use of artificial intelligence is prohibited for a justified reason and is considered to be fraudulent.

Instructions for simulation studying:
In simulations, you train to be a nurse in a simulation environment
In simulations, the aim is to
You are able to identify and assess the condition threatening the (mental) health of the client/patient
You are able to ensure the physical and mental safety of the client
You are able to assess the need for treatment
If necessary, you will be able to consult other health care experts.
Prepare for simulation by studying theory and repeating ISBAR.
Simulations in civilian clothing.

Employer connections

The prerequisites for internship are the same as for other courses. The internship is, as a rule, in the semester after theoretical studies.

Exam schedules

Collaborative and group exam according to the schedule.
1st Retake
2nd Retake

Completion alternatives

You can study theory studies independently or participate to the lessons.

Workshops and simulations are mandatory. Simulation and worshop compensations with the next/second group.

The student can choose whether to take a collaboration exam at the stated exam time or
individual exam at the retake time.



Simulation compensations with the next/second group.

Student workload

1 ect = 27 h hours
Contact teaching 42 hours

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

The student:
Can describe key concepts used in mental health and addiction nursing.
Can explain the key legislation defining mental health and addiction nursing.
Can explain the process of guiding the client's/patient's care and recognize the role of evidence-based knowledge in the care and support of the client's/patient's self-care.
Can describe the course of crises.
Can explain the medical treatment of the most common mental illnesses and addiction problems.
Can describe the concept of intimate partner violence.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

The student:
Can use key concepts in mental health and addiction nursing.
Can describe the key legislation defining mental health and addiction nursing.
Can apply knowledge in guiding the client's/patient's care and apply evidence-based knowledge in the multidisciplinary care and support of the client's/patient's self-care.
Can explain the course of crises and their connection to mental health.
Can describe the medical treatment of mental illnesses and addiction problems.
Can describe the manifestation of intimate partner violence and can guide the client/patient appropriately in such situations.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

The student:
Can use key concepts in mental health and addiction nursing.
Can describe the key legislation defining mental health and addiction nursing and apply this knowledge as part of describing the client's/patient's care process.
Can apply knowledge in guiding the client's/patient's care and apply evidence-based knowledge in a diverse and critical manner in the multidisciplinary care and support of the client's/patient's self-care.
Can explain the course of crises and analyze its connection to mental health.
Can describe intimate partner violence as a phenomenon and apply service system knowledge in appropriately guiding the client's/patient's care.
Can describe the medical treatment of mental illnesses and addiction problems in a comprehensive and critical manner.

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

Fail.
The student:
Cannot describe key concepts used in mental health and addiction nursing.
Cannot explain the key legislation defining mental health and addiction nursing.
Cannot explain the process of guiding the client's/patient's care and does not recognize the role of evidence-based knowledge in the care and support of the client's/patient's self-care.
Cannot explain the medical treatment of the most common mental illnesses and addiction problems.
Cannot explain the manifestation of intimate partner violence or how to guide the client/patient in such situations