A partnership development between Mental Health Ireland and Adult Continuing Education, The Certificate Mental Health in the Community is a new and innovative part time Programme designed for the community participant, to enhance the participant’s knowledge, skills and values in respect of mental wellbeing and recovery.

The Programme explores what can work for people who experience mental health difficulties in supporting personal recovery. It examines contemporary debates in the field of mental health with a focus on recovery approaches and frameworks. It looks at good practice in mental health promotion and suicide prevention across a range of services and community based initiatives. It explores concepts of mental health, and considers community based educational and support options for mental health recovery.

The Certificate is a part-time programme offered by Adult Continuing Education in association with Mental Health Ireland.

Students take 30 credits as follows

Year 1 Modules:

• AD1055: Concepts of Mental Health (10 credits)
  Concepts of mental health and wellbeing, the history of mental health in western societies, constructions of 'mental health', recovery focussed principles and practices, personal recovery frameworks.
• AD1056: Mental Health Policy and Practice (5 credits)
  Mental heatlh policy: a Whole Population approach across the life-span; social determinants of mental health; mental health legislation; community based services, intitiatives / organisations, public health and mental health promotion.
• AD1057: Community Approaches, Models and Interventions (10 credits)
  Community Development, Peer Networks and Social Supports, Social Inclusion, Expert by Experience, Co-production, Recovery College.
• AD1058: Practice Skills in Mental Health in the Community (5 credits)
  Recovery Literacy, Peer Processes, Value based Practice, Reflective Practice, Experiential Knowledge.

The Certificate is delivered part-time over one academic year. It carries a 30 credit value, NFQ Level 6 Award. The Certificate is ideal if you are an adult learner looking to enhance your understanding and awareness of mental health and recovery. Classes are structured to provide a safe space for critical dialogue into topics and issues concerning mental health and recovery. Expect a stimulating blend of learning experiences from; class lectures, self directed learning, experiential learning, enhanced by Blackboard-our Online Learning System.

There are no written examinations. All work is continuously assessed. The learning is evaluated through a combination of; learner logs, oral presentation, poster presentation, skills demonstration. Classes are held on evenings and occasional Saturdays.

Our experienced teaching team together combine extensive academic, practice and lived experience of mental health difficulties and personal recovery, incorporating a unique contribution of academic and experiential learning into the classroom. This model of diversity in teaching and learning enhances the learning experience demonstrating effective co-working of people awhile offering different perspectives and experiences on topics of mental health and recovery.

Brenda Healy [UCC] [Cahirsiveen] [Letterkenny] [Killarney]
Programme Co-ordinator
E: b.healy@ucc.ie
T: 086 8079204

Christine Chasaide [LIMERICK] 
Programme Co-ordinator
E: c.chasaide@ucc.ie 
T: +353 (0)87 9461472

Siobhan Murray (Letterkenny)
E: SiobhanMurray@ucc.ie
T: +353 87 7734422