SLWK 3301

(3 Credits) 3 Lecture hours This course provides students with an understanding of the many issues that affect the mental health of children and adolescents, including knowledge of the major mental health disorders, factors contributing to these disorders, and therapeutic interventions. The course also looks at the environments that optimize mental health and resilience. Consideration is given to the ecological factors that impact resilience and risk, how safety is enhanced, and the ways in which formal and natural supports are used to support positive outcomes in mental health and substance use. The course makes use of a simulation lab and naturalistic observation of children to explore how child and adolescent mental health issues are managed within a family or caregiving environment.