Minor in mental health practice
The mental health practice minor through the VCU School of Social Work will provide foundational knowledge and skills for those interested in pursuing work in the mental health field. This minor offers a strong preparatory framework for several career paths and further education in mental health services.
The minor – six courses and 18 credit hours – is applicable for anyone who is interested in learning more about mental health, including, but not limited to:
- biology
- business
- criminal justice
- education
- nursing
- psychology
- social work
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Learning objectives
- Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of common mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. They also explore evidence-based treatment methods like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), psychodynamic therapy, and mindfulness-based approaches.
- This foundational knowledge allows students to recognize the symptoms of mental health disorders and understand the importance of early intervention, appropriate treatment, and holistic care.
- A significant component of the mental health field is working with individuals who are often in distress or dealing with sensitive issues. Through courses in the minor, students will cultivate empathy, active listening, and non-judgmental communication skills.
- These interpersonal skills are critical in various roles, whether students pursue careers in counseling, case management, or social services. They must be able to build trust and provide support to individuals in need.
- Students will develop an understanding of the impact of what it means to be an anti racist social worker, as well as culture, socioeconomic status, and identity on mental health. These courses will emphasize the need for cultural competency in mental health care, recognizing that mental health experiences and access to care can vary greatly across different populations.
- Ethical considerations, such as client confidentiality, professional boundaries, and informed consent, are also emphasized. These are crucial in ensuring responsible practice in any mental health-related career.
- While insufficient for clinical positions, a mental health minor equips students with the skills necessary for entry-level roles in mental health advocacy, case management, community outreach, and administrative positions in mental health settings (such as hospitals, clinics, or non-profit organizations).
- Students may also work in peer support or mental health education roles, helping individuals navigate the mental health system, access resources, and advocate for mental health awareness.
- Courses within this minor focus on crisis intervention strategies and teach students how to respond to individuals in immediate mental health crises. This prepares students for roles in crisis hotlines, shelters, or other emergency mental health services. These skills are essential for understanding how to provide immediate support and guidance and when and how to refer individuals to professional care.
- These courses focus on working alongside professionals from various disciplines, such as social workers, medical doctors, and educators. Understanding the importance of a team-based approach to mental health care is crucial in fields like case management or rehabilitation settings.
- Students learn to collaborate effectively with others to create comprehensive care plans that address the psychological, social, and medical needs of individuals.
- Mental health advocacy is an important area of focus in today’s world. Students who minor in mental health will be prepared to work in advocacy organizations, helping to reduce stigma, promote mental health education, and push for policy changes that improve access to care.
Competencies and behaviors
Courses within this minor will address four competencies identified by the Council on Social Work Education as necessary for professional social work practice. (CSWE has a total of nine competencies that make up its Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards.)
Please note that these are subject to change as the courses evolve.
- Make ethical decisions by applying the standards of the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics, relevant laws and regulations, models for ethical decision making, ethical conduct of research, and additional codes of ethics within the profession as appropriate to the context.
- Demonstrate professional behavior; appearance; and oral, written, and electronic communication.
- Demonstrate capacity to provide leadership and work effectively on a clinical team
- Demonstrate anti-racist and anti-oppressive social work practice at the individual, family, group, organizational, community, research, and policy levels.
- Demonstrate cultural humility by applying critical reflection, self-awareness, and self-regulation to manage the influence of bias, power, privilege, and values in working with clients and constituencies, acknowledging them as experts of their own lived experiences.
- Apply knowledge of human behavior and person-in-environment, as well as interprofessional conceptual frameworks, to engage with clients and constituencies.
- Use empathy, reflection, and interpersonal skills to engage in culturally responsive practice with clients and constituencies.
- Demonstrate the ability to form worker-client alliances, communicate empathetically, enhance motivation for change, and address internal/external barriers to change.
- Apply theories of human behavior and person-in-environment, as well as other culturally responsive and interprofessional conceptual frameworks, when assessing clients and constituencies.
- Demonstrate respect for client self-determination during the assessment process by collaborating with clients and constituencies in developing a mutually agreed-upon plan.
Elective minor courses
Courses in the mental health minor will prepare students for careers in case management and services coordination, counseling, crisis intervention and gerontology. They will also prepare students to enter fields such as individual and group counseling, medicine and social work. These courses are built from a trauma-informed, evidence-based, anti-racist lens.
Introduction to the Treatment of Individuals with Mental Illness (3 hours)
This course provides students with introductory knowledge regarding the treatment, care and support for individuals with serious mental illness, with a detailed and trauma-informed approach looking specifically at serious mental illness (bipolar I & II, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, treatment resistant depression, PTSD). Full description
Introduction to Trauma and Social Work (3 hours)
This course will provide a foundational understanding of trauma's nature, effects and treatment. The impact of social, structural, cultural, economic and environmental principles on determinants of health and quality of life will be addressed, including the influence of factors such as race, gender, sexual orientation, geography, ability, and biological and epigenetic factors. Full description
Spirituality & Social Work (3 hours)
This course is designed to explore and examine the connection between spirituality and improvements in mental health. Emerging research shows there is a link between spiritual activity and reductions in anxiety and post-traumatic recovery, as well as helping cope with stress and adverse life events. Full description
Mental Health & Criminal Justice: An Intersection of Practice & Policy (3 hours)
This course is designed to explore social work practice and policy at the interface of the public mental health and criminal justice systems. Full description
Mental Health Case Management and Skills (3 hours)
This course introduces students to the knowledge and skills needed for effective generalist case management practice. Students will explore case management with a variety of populations, including children and families, veterans, older adults and homeless. Full description
Substance Use & Co-Occurring Disorders: Screening, Assessment & Treatment (3 hours)
This course will provide a foundational understanding of substance use disorder and other co-occurring conditions. The impact of substance use on co-occurring mental health conditions will be explored through the lens of race, gender, sexual orientation, and geographical, biological and recovery-based factors. Full description
Course highlights
Three sample assignments:
- SWMH 491. Introduction to the Treatment of Individuals with Serious Mental Illness
In a psychoeducation video-based assignment, students are asked to create a video as if they were presenting in a conference on a recovery or empowering wellness model in SMI. - SWMH 495. Mental Health & Criminal Justice
Students are asked to create an infographic on the intersection of restorative justice/transformative justice and mental health. - SWMH 497. Substance Use & Co-Occurring Disorders
Students complete a midterm reflection paper and consider their thoughts on whether their understanding of substance use and substance use treatment has changed since the beginning of the course, as well as how their feelings, opinions and beliefs about substance use changed throughout the course.
The assignments for the mental health minor were built through the lens of 'how can we create assignments that will help students when they are potentially working in jobs post-grad.' We were intentional when designing both curriculum and assignments, thinking through the lens of an anti-racist, trauma-informed, healing-engaged lens as well. The hope is that students who take this minor will emerge with not only a foundation of mental health knowledge but with a lens of radical self-care as well as a belief in the way social workers should care for clients."
Have questions?
For questions around curriculum, please contact Dr. Cassie DeSena-Jacobs at jacobsc2@vcu.edu.
- Prospective students: For help with the admissions process or your application, contact the School of Social Work's Office of Student Success at sswinfo@vcu.edu.
- Current students: For help with your degree planning and course scheduling, connect with your advisor.