DEPARTMENT OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY

National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences

(Institute of National Importance), Bengaluru – 560029.

NIMHANS DIGITAL ACADEMY (NDA)

DIPLOMA IN COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH FOR PSYCHOLOGISTS

ABOUT THE TEAM

Course Coordinator: Dr. Seema P Nambiar, Clinical Psychologist

Contributing Faculty Subject Experts from the Department of Clinical Psychology:

Dr. L N Suman, Professor and HOD, Dept. of Clinical Psychology

Dr. Aruna Rose Mary Kapanee, Associate Professor and Faculty-in-charge (NDA)
Dr. Uma H, Professor
Dr. Paulomi M Sudhir, Professor
Dr. Roopesh B N, Additional Professor
Dr. Thomas Kishore, Additional Professor
Dr. Gitanjali Narayanan, Associate Professor
Dr. Nithya Poornima, Assistant Professor

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 ABOUT THE COURSE

Course Objectives:

After successful course completion, the trainees will be expected to:

• Screen for and identify mental health problems in adults and children (CMD: Common Mental Disorders, SUD: Substance Use
Disorders, SMD: Severe Mental Disorders), and understand factors influencing them
• Understand the management options for mental health problems
• Conduct first level psychosocial interventions for mental health problems
• Make decisions about the type and level of mental health problems that can be managed by them and what needs to be referred to medical
officers and mental health specialists

Minimum Qualification for Eligibility:

M.A /M.Sc. Degree in Psychology (2-year course)

Total duration of course:

The course is of 3 month duration and consists of

• Self-paced e-learning: Approx. 25 hours

• Live Real Time Interactive Discussion Via video conference: 11 hours

Methods of training:

• Self e-learning in formats such as video, audio, PowerPoint, and website link

• Live Real Time Session, which will include presentation and discussion by participants as well as NIMHANS team

Medium of Instruction: English

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 Criteria for Successful Completion:

The following criteria are to be fulfilled within the training cycle of 3 months duration, to be eligible for the award of Certificate:
• Completion of Six Assignments/Assessments (each module has 1 assignment/assessment)
• > 80% marks in each Assignment/Assessment
Total of 3 attempts will be allowed to obtain 80% marks in each Assignment/Assessment
• > 80% participation in the multi-point video-based live real-time discussions (5 out of 6 module-based live discussion, as
measured by the software and trainees' video presence)

• Two case submissions (One case submission each in the beginning of the second and third month of the course respectively)
• Monthly reports of the patients evaluated for mental health in a prescribed proforma (Each report to be submitted within the first
week of every month of the course)
• Pre and Post Assessment

Criteria for supplementary certification:

In case a trainee has been unsuccessful in completing ONLY ONE Assignment/Assessment despite three attempts and if they have met ALL
the other criteria for course completion, then the trainee may receive an additional attempt to clear it.

Certification:

The certificate of ‘Diploma in Community Mental Health for Psychologists’ will be given on successful completion of the 3-month program.

Note:

Continued practice and refresher training is recommended each year for the trainees. Those being certified through this course, need to
recognize severity of the mental health problems and make timely referrals.

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 CURRICULUM

Modules Topics for Self-paced e-learning Live Real Time discussion

Via Via

PowerPoint, Video, Audio, PDF Interactive multipoint mobile app video

document, website link conference

(Twice a month)

Pre-Assessment • Introductory session for group

Module I: 1. Mental Wellness and Illness ● Biopsychosocial model of Mental

2. Communication/Interviewing skills Health
3. General principles of care ● Q&A
4. Signs and symptoms, and screening
Introduction to mental health and for psychiatric disorders
Identification of mental illness 5. History taking
6. Mental status examination

Assignment/Assessment 1

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Module II: 1. Child case study and Mental Status ● Identification of academic problems
Examination in schoolgoing children
2. Orientation to mental disabilities ● Q&A
3. Functional developmental
Identification/Functional Assessment of
disability, intellectual deficits, and assessment for intellectual deficits
academic problems

Assignment/Assessment 2

Module III: 1. Basic skills in counseling & ● Psychoeducation regarding Anxiety

Professional ethics disorders (Panic Disorder,
2. Counseling Case Note Writing and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder,
Referral Generalized Anxiety Disorder)
Introduction to basic counseling skills 3. Psychoeducation regarding ● Q&A
Depression
4. Suicide risk assessment and basic
Psychoeducation regarding common Intervention
mental disorders

Assignment/Assessment 3

Suicide risk assessment

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Module IV:
Behaviour Analysis and
interventions for adults
1. Behaviour Analysis ● Identification of necessary
2. Behavioural interventions of activity conditions for use of relaxation
scheduling, and problem-solving skills procedures
training ● Self-help skills/ activities
Behavioural 3. Description of Arousal reduction ● Q&A
procedures
4. Training in Abdominal breathing skills

Relaxation procedures
Assignment/Assessment 4

Module V: ● Parent management training

In severe mental disorders, intellectual and ● Q&A
developmental disability:
Psychoeducation and management 1. Psychoeducation
regarding severe mental disorders, 2. Training in self-help skills and activities
intellectual and developmental disability of daily living skills
3. Rehabilitation & Recovery

Assignment/Assessment 5

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Module VI: 1. Identifying addictions (substance, ● Family counseling to promote
behavioural) abstinence in clients
2. Educating clients and family about ● Q&A
addictions ● Closing remarks by trainees and
Identification and intervention for facilitators
3. Skills in enhancing motivation to
addictions change

Assignment/Assessment 6

Post-Assessment

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