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Course page How to navigate the course Course syllabus Glossary Course intro Details and logistics CoP SMEs Course agreements and conditions Acknowledgements

Module 1: Immigration and social determinants of health
1.1 — Understanding mental health in Canada
1.1.1. General prevalence and impact + 1.1.2 Legislation affecting the rights of clients
1.2 — Understanding immigration in Canada
1.2.1 A brief history + + 1.2.2 Temporary Residents 1.2.3 Permanent Residents + + 1.2.4 Immigration Trends + 1.2.5 Demographic trends + + + +
1.3 — Mental health of immigrants and refugees
1.3.1 Immigrant and Refugee Mental Health 1.3.2 The healthy immigrant effect 1.3.3 The determinants of mental health + 1.3.4 The migration journey 1.3.5 Social determinants in the post-migration context + + +
Case study: Ibraheem Summary

Module 2: Intro to Mental Health
2.1 Understanding mental illness
2.1.1 Understanding mental health and mental illness 2.1.2 The continuum of mental health and mental illness 2.1.3 Prevalence of mental health problems and illness among immigrants and refugees
2.2 Common mental disorders
2.2.1 Depressive disorders 2.2.2 Anxiety disorders 2.2.3 Posttraumatic stress disorder + 2.2.4 Psychosis 2.2.5 Substance abuse
Summary

Module 3: Key populations - women
3.1.1 Social risk factors affecting women 3.1.2 Gender-based violence + + 3.1.3 Pregnancy + 3.1.4 Barriers to seeking help 3.1.5 Clinical considerations 3.1.6 Providing mental health support + Summary

Module 4: Key populations - children
4.1.1 Immigrant and refugee children 4.1.2 Needs of adolescents and youth 4.1.3 Mental illness and mental health problems + + 4.1.4 Needs of adolescents and youth 4.1.5 Post-migration and social determinants of mental health 4.1.6 Risk and protective factors + + 4.1.7 Distress vs. mental disorder in refugee children + 4.1.8 Providing mental health support + + Summary

Module 5: Key populations...
5.1 Older adults
5.1.1 Older adults 5.1.2 Risk factors for mental health problems and illnesses 5.1.3 Clinical considerations 5.1.4 Promoting mental health
5.2 Survivors of torture
5.2.1 Survivors of torture 5.2.2 Effects of torture 5.2.3 Clinical considerations + + 5.2.4 Mental health interventions +
5.3 LGBTQ2+ immigrants and refugees
5.3.1 LGBTQ2+ immigrants and refugees 5.3.2 Risk factors for mental health 5.3.3 Clinical considerations 5.3.4 Mental health interventions
5.4 People living with disabilities
5.4.1 People living with disabilities 5.4.2 Risk factors 5.4.3 Clinical considerations 5.4.4 Providing mental health support
Summary

Module 6: Treatment and support
6.1 Treatment
6.1.1 Treatment 6.1.2 Providing newcomers with mental health services 6.1.3 Treatment models 6.1.4 Cultural competence in mental health care 6.1.5 Trauma-informed care 6.1.6 Resilience
6.2 Treatment interventions
6.2.1 Treatment interventions 6.2.2 Psychosocial interventions
6.3 Psychotherapy and counselling
6.3.1 Psychotherapy and counselling 6.3.2 Cultural factors 6.3.3 Psychotherapeutic interventions
6.4 Pharmacotherapy
6.4.1 Pharmacotherapy 6.4.2 Cultural factors 6.4.3 Practical issues
Summary

Module 7
7.1 Health equity
7.1.1 Health equity 7.1.2 Why health equity matters
7.2 Anti-Racism
7.2.1 Racism 7.2.2 Anti-Black racism 7.2.3 Racism and mental health + 7.2.4 Social inclusion and exclusion 7.2.5 Bias + + (SW) + (HP) + (SW) + (HP) Anti-oppression framework (SW) + (SW)
7.3 Intersectionality
7.3.1 Intersecting identities 7.3.2 Intersectionality and mental health (HP) 7.3.2 Intersectionality and mental health (SW)
7.4 Anti-oppression and allyship
7.4.1 Inclusive practice and how to work inclusively 7.4.2 Moving from cultural awareness to cultural humility + (HP) 7.4.2 The process of unlearning 7.4.4 Power and privilege +
Summary

Module 8: Service delivery + pathways to care
8.1 Pathways to Care
8.1.1 Navigating mental health services + 8.1.2 Factors that influence help-seeking + 8.1.3 Connecting with primary care
8.2 Facilitating effective service use
8.2.1 Facilitating effective service use 8.2.2 Make changes to programs, policies and institutions 8.2.3 Consider the impact of culture +
8.3 Working with interpreters
8.3.1 Language and its effects on access to care 8.3.2 Translation and interpreting + + + 8.3.3 Types of interpreters 8.3.4 Mental Health Interpretation +
Summary

Module 9: Partnerships + mental health promotion
9.1 Strategies for promoting mental health
Strategies for promoting mental health + +
9.2 Social Supports
9.2.1 Social Supports 9.2.2 Formal organizations 9.2.3 Informal social networks +
9.3 Community development and partnerships
9.3.1 Community development and partnerships 9.3.2 Asset-based community development + 9.3.3 Community partnerships + + +
Summary

Module 10: Self-care
10.1.1 Self-care 10.1.2 Compassion fatigue 10.1.3 Secondary trauma 10.1.4 Burnout and its effects + 10.1.5 Boundary issues + 10.1.6 Seeking help +
Summary Glossary

Course syllabus

There are ten modules in this course:

  1. 1

    Immigration and the social determinants of health

  2. 2

    Introduction to mental illness and disorders

  3. 3

    Mental health needs of key populations: Women

  4. 4

    Mental health needs of key populations: Children

  5. 5

    Mental health needs of key populations: Older adults, survivors of torture, 2SLGBTQ+ persons, and people living with disabilities

  6. 6

    Treatment and support

  7. 7

    Health Equity, Anti-racism, Anti-Oppression, Intersectionality and Allyship

  8. 8

    Service delivery, pathways to care and interpretation

  9. 9

    Partnerships and mental health promotion

  10. 10

    Self-care and self-awareness

Course contents

Module 1 — Immigration and social determinants of health

The course begins by helping you understand who you are helping and the problems they face. This module provides general information about mental health and immigration in Canada, including relevant legislation, history, key issues and statistics. It then outlines the social determinants of health, which are fundamental to understanding and addressing mental health needs in general and in immigrants and refugees in particular.

  • 1.1.1 — General prevalence and impact
  • 1.1.2 — Legislation affecting the rights of clients
  • 1.2.1 — A brief history
  • 1.2.2 — Temporary Residents
  • 1.2.3 — Permanent Residents
  • 1.2.4 — Immigration Trends
  • 1.2.5 — Demographic trends
  • 1.3.1 — Immigrant and Refugee Mental Health
  • 1.3.2 — The healthy immigrant effect
  • 1.3.3 — The determinants of mental health
  • 1.3.4 — The migration journey
  • 1.3.5 — Social determinants in the post-migration context
  • Case study — Ibraheem

    • Module 2 — Intro to Mental Health

    This module examines the most common mental disorders experienced by immigrants and refugees.

    • 2.1.1 — Understanding mental health and mental illness
    • 2.1.2 — The continuum of mental health and mental illness
    • 2.1.3 — Prevalence of mental health problems and illness among immigrants and refugees
    • 2.2.1 — Depressive disorders
    • 2.2.2 — Anxiety disorders
    • 2.2.3 — Posttraumatic stress disorder
    • 2.2.4 — Psychosis
    • 2.2.5 — Substance abuse

    Module 3 — Key populations - women

    Modules 3, 4, and 5 explore the unique mental needs of different vulnerable immigrant and refugee groups.

    • 3.1.1 — Social risk factors affecting women
    • 3.1.2 — Gender-based violence
    • 3.1.3 — Pregnancy
    • 3.1.4 — Barriers to seeking help
    • 3.1.5 — Clinical considerations
    • 3.1.6 — Providing mental health support

    Module 4 — Key populations - children

    • 4.1.1 — Immigrant and refugee children
    • 4.1.2 — Needs of adolescents and youth
    • 4.1.3 — Mental illness and mental health problems
    • 4.1.4 — Needs of adolescents and youth
    • 4.1.5 — Post-migration and social determinants of mental health
    • 4.1.6 — Risk and protective factors
    • 4.1.7 — Distress vs. mental disorder in refugee children
    • 4.1.8 — Providing mental health support

    Module 5 — Key populations (continued)

    • 5.1.1 — Older adults
    • 5.1.2 — Risk factors for mental health problems and illnesses
    • 5.1.3 — Clinical considerations
    • 5.1.4 — Promoting mental health
    • 5.2.1 — Survivors of torture
    • 5.2.2 — Effects of torture
    • 5.2.3 — Clinical considerations
    • 5.2.4 — Mental health interventions
    • 5.3.1 — 2SLGBTQ+ immigrants and refugees
    • 5.3.2 — Risk factors for mental health
    • 5.3.3 — Clinical considerations
    • 5.3.4 — Mental health interventions
    • 5.4.1 — People living with disabilities
    • 5.4.2 — Risk factors
    • 5.4.3 — Clinical considerations
    • 5.4.4 — Providing mental health support

    Module 6 — Treatment and support

    This module focuses on the treatment and support of immigrants and refugees with mental disorders, including models of treatment and treatment interventions.

    • 6.1.1 — Treatment
    • 6.1.2 — Providing newcomers with mental health services
    • 6.1.3 — Treatment models
    • 6.1.4 — Cultural competence in mental health care
    • 6.1.5 — Trauma-informed care
    • 6.1.6 — Resilience
    • 6.2.1 — Treatment interventions
    • 6.2.2 — Psychosocial interventions
    • 6.3.1 — Psychotherapy and counselling
    • 6.3.2 — Cultural factors
    • 6.3.3 — Psychotherapeutic interventions
    • 6.4.1 — Pharmacotherapy
    • 6.4.2 — Cultural factors
    • 6.4.3 — Practical issues

    Module 6 — Counselling and case management

    This module focuses on the treatment and support of immigrants and refugees with mental disorders, including models of treatment and treatment interventions.

    • 6.1.1 — Settlement counselling and beyond
    • 6.1.2 — Best practices in settlement services
    • 6.1.3 — Settlement counselling and mental health
    • 6.2.1 — Communication skills
    • 6.2.2 — Building a collaborative relationship
    • 6.3.1 — Psychotherapy and counselling
    • 6.3.2 — Professional boundaries
    • 6.3.3 — Trauma-informed care and counselling
    • 6.3.3 — Cross-cultural counselling
    • 6.3.3 — Crisis management

    Module 7 - Health Equity, Anti-racism, Anti-Oppression, Intersectionality and Allyship

    This module explores the dynamics of working with immigrants and refugees from different races, cultures and ethnic backgrounds, and how to examine power and privilege in that relationship.

    • 7.1.1 — Health equity
    • 7.1.2 — Why health equity matters
    • 7.2.1 — Racism
    • 7.2.2 — Anti-Black racism
    • 7.2.3 — Racism and mental health
    • 7.2.4 — Social inclusion and exclusion
    • 7.2.5 — Bias
    • 7.2.6 — Anti-oppression framework (SW)
    • 7.3.1 — Intersecting identities
    • 7.3.2 — Intersectionality and mental health (HP)
    • 7.3.2 — Intersectionality and mental health (SW)
    • 7.4.1 — Inclusive practice and how to work inclusively
    • 7.4.2 — Moving from cultural awareness to cultural humility
    • 7.4.2 — The process of unlearning
    • 7.4.4 — Power and privilege

    Module 8 — Service delivery and pathways to care

    This module outlines the factors that help and hinder whether and how newcomers seek services for mental health problems, and outlines key considerations when working with an interpreter.

    • 8.1.1 — Navigating mental health services
    • 8.1.2 — Factors that influence help-seeking
    • 8.1.3 — Connecting with primary care
    • 8.2.1 — Facilitating effective service use
    • 8.2.2 — Make changes to programs, policies and institutions
    • 8.2.3 — Consider the impact of culture
    • 8.3.1 — Language and its effects on access to care
    • 8.3.2 — Translation and interpreting
    • 8.3.3 — Types of interpreters
    • 8.3.4 — Mental Health Interpretation

    Module 9 — Partnerships and mental health promotion

    This module focuses on mental health promotion, the role social support plays in promoting mental wellness, and the related roles of community development and partnerships.

    • 9.1.1 — Strategies for promoting mental health
    • 9.2.1 — Social Supports
    • 9.2.2 — Formal organizations
    • 9.2.3 — Informal social networks
    • 9.3.1 — Community development and partnerships
    • 9.3.2 — Asset-based community development
    • 9.3.3 — Community partnerships

    Module 10 — Self-care

    This module concludes by providing strategies to promote, cultural competence, self-care and continuing education.

    • 10.1.1 — Self-care
    • 10.1.2 — Compassion fatigue
    • 10.1.3 — Secondary trauma
    • 10.1.4 — Burnout and its effects
    • 10.1.5 — Boundary issues
    • 10.1.6 — Seeking help
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    This course does not provide clinical training. Information here should not substitute for professional clinical diagnoses; it aims only to provide essential basics.