Mental Health and Substance Abuse Nursing (6 cr)

Learning outcomes

The student is able to
- describe the most common mental health disorders in children, young people and adults and their main examination and treatment methods
- use evidence-based information and recommendations when justifying decisions, approaches and working methods used in mental health and substance abuse nursing care
- apply the principles of resource-oriented interaction in the care of a mental health and substance abuse clients and in supporting the significant others
- recognise the patient's difficult emotions, psychological strain, grief and crisis, and describe how to help the patient and their significant others to manage these difficult feelings
- describe the significance of the service system for mental health and substance abuse nursing , digital services and work in multiprofessional teams and networks
- describe the special features of medication treatment in mental health nursing
- explain the significance of ethical guidelines and legislation in mental health and substance abuse nursing
- recognise special features related to cultures and subcultures in mental health and substance abuse nursing
- analyse ethical questions related to mental health and substance abuse nursing
- analyse the significance of their own attitudes, perceptions and resources when implementing client-oriented nursing

Location and time

Teaching takes place in Tikkurila campus
Note! timetables and implementation modalities may change slightly.
Deadlines for assignments will presented during Orientation and Canvas platform.

Materials

Article and lecture material with links will be available in the Canvas workspace, as well as materials related to online studies.

Teaching methods

Laurea's nursing students and exchange students can participate in the course.

The teaching utilizes online learning, flipped learning, various lectures, working in small groups and simulation/workshops. All classroom lessons use designed to be collaborative learning, where the student plays a big role.

Parts of the study unit:
PART 1. Psychiatry online medical studies 1 cr - Independent study in Canvas
PART 2. Mental health and substance abuse nursing 5 cr - Lessons, workshops and simulations on campus AND independent study. Includes seminar or project work, which is done in small groups.

Tasks to be assessed:
- Canvas competence test
- LbD project/seminar work
- YleSh knowledge test

Employer connections

The study unit includes a seminar and/or LbD project. The content and schedule of the project will be refined at the beginning of the study period. Guidance and division into groups takes place at the orientation session.

Exam schedules

Participation in contact lessons: Attendance to 80% of the lectures. If lectures are missed – extra tasks will be given to demonstrate your knowledge about the topic.

Compulsory attendance:
- Orientation 26.8.2025
- Seminar 3.10.2025
- Simulation (Simulations cannot be replaced) 30.9. or 1.10.

Timetable, content and groups are divided in the first contact lesson (compulsory attendance). By attending the lesson, the student also ensures his participation in the course (Laurea's degree regulations.)

Absences from all lessons are replaced by assignments.

International connections

For exchange students

Student workload

PART 1.
1cr = 27h of student's work

PART 2.
5 cr = 135h

Content scheduling

- Main psychiatric disorders and the medical grounds for care
- Mechanisms of the most common intoxicants
- Operating principles of mental health and substance abuse nursing
- Supporting clients who are experiencing an acute crisis and are acutely ill
- Service system and legislation
- Professional interaction in care relationship with mental health or substance abuse clients and their significant others
- Pharmacological therapies for mental health and substance abuse patient
- Mental health of children and adolescents

Evaluation scale

H-5

Further information

A student who has not completed the assignments or exams set for passing the course must complete or renew his or her performance in the manner and within the time specified by the teacher of the course. A failed exam or other performance can be renewed twice. Failure to participate in the actual exam is counted as one performance. (Laurea's degree regulations.)

All Laurea students are expected to adhere to good scientific practice, including appropriate citation of sources. Familiarize yourself with and ask about these practices if necessary. All study assignments are done as individual work, unless otherwise instructed in the assignment. The teacher will inform separately if Turnitin will be used for the reports.