DEPARTMENT OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY

National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences

(Institute of National Importance), Bengaluru – 560029.

NIMHANS DIGITAL ACADEMY (NDA)

TITLE OF THE COURSE

Diploma in Community Mental Health for Psychologists

(Blended, three-month, digital course)

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE COURSE

It is a 3-month blended online course for psychologists comprising of approximately

25 hours of self-paced e-learning material and 11 hours of live real-time interactive
discussion via video conference.

OBJECTIVES OF THE COURSE

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

• Screen for and identify mental health problems in adults and children, 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 make appropriate referrals to Mental Health Professionals
and other health professionals as required.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA TO ENTER THE COURSE

MA or MSc in Psychology (2-year course) from a UGC (University Grants

Commission) recognised University.

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 MODE OF ADMISSION & COURSE FEE

Those who meet the eligibility criteria can register and apply online. Only those
eligible are enrolled. Please ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria before you pay
the fees as the fee is not refundable. The fee is INR7500 for private candidates and
INR 2500 for government psychologists.

COURSE CONTENT/CURRICULUM/SYLLABUS OF THE COURSE

Modules Topics for Self-paced e-learning Via Live Real Time discussion
PowerPoint, Video, Audio, PDF Via
document, website link Interactive multipoint
mobile app video
conference
(Twice a month)
Pre-Assessment Introductory session for
group
Module I: Biopsychosocial model of
1. Mental Wellness and Illness
Mental Health
2. Communication/Interviewing
Introduction to mental health Q&A
skills
and Identification of mental
illness 3. General principles of care
4. Signs and symptoms, and
screening for psychiatric disorders
5. History taking
6. Mental status examination

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

Assignment/Assessment 2

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

Assignment/Assessment 3

Module IV: Identification of necessary

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

Assignment/Assessment 4

Module V: Parent management

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

Assignment/Assessment 5
Module VI: Family counseling to
1. Identifying addictions
promote abstinence in
(substance, behavioural) clients
Identification and
2. Educating clients and family about
intervention for addictions Q&A

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 addictions
Closing remarks by trainees
3. Skills in enhancing motivation to
and facilitators
change

Assignment/Assessment 6
Post-Assessment

MODE OF DELIVERY FOR THE COURSE

Self-paced e-learning material in formats such as video, audio, PowerPoint, and website links
and live Real Time Sessions, which includes presentation and discussion by participants as
well as NIMHANS team.

Medium of Instruction: English

CRITERIA FOR SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION AND CERTIFICATION

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 (i.e., 5 out of 6
module-based live discussion, with more than 60 minutes’ participation in each session, 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

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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.

CORE COMPETENCIES AS THE EXPECTED OUTCOME OF THE COURSE

What can be done by the certified candidates

After successful course completion, the candidates will be able to:
I. Identify mental health problems in adults and children
II. Conduct interview-based functional developmental assessment for intellectual
deficits
III. Identify academic problems in children and adolescents
IV. Understand the Biopsychosocial model of mental health
V. Understand the management options for mental health problems
VI. By using interviewing/counselling skills, conduct the following first level
psychosocial interventions for mental health problems:
1. Psychoeducation
2. Assess suicide risk and conduct basic intervention for suicide prevention
3. Behavior analysis and behavioral interventions, i.e., activity scheduling,
problem-solving skills training, arousal reduction using abdominal breathing.
4. Self-help skills training and activities of daily living skills training.
5. Parent management training
6. Enhance motivation to change in clients with substance abuse
7. Brief family counseling for substance abuse
VII. Make decisions about appropriate referrals to qualified Mental Health
Professionals and other health professionals.

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What cannot be done by the certified candidates
Those certified with this Diploma:

I. Cannot carry out psychological assessments/testing through standardized

psychological measures. They therefore need to refer the client to a qualified
Clinical Psychologist for psychological assessments.
II. They can identify, but cannot diagnose psychiatric disorders or practice
psychotherapy. They need to refer persons with mental illness to qualified
Mental Health Professionals for further diagnosis and treatment.
III. They cannot work with the designation of Clinical Psychologist after
obtaining this Diploma.

DISCIPLINE SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES:

I. Identification of adult as well as child mental health problems
II. Functional first-level assessments for:
1. Intellectual deficits
2. Academic problems
3. Suicide risk
III. Behavioral analysis for evaluation and first-level intervention
IV. Conduct the following first level psychosocial interventions incorporating basic
counseling skills and professional ethics:
1. Psychoeducation
2. Basic intervention for suicide prevention
3. Behavioral interventions, i.e., activity scheduling, problem-solving skills training, and
arousal reduction using abdominal breathing.
4. Self-help skills training and activities of daily living skills training
5. Parent management training
6. Enhance motivation to change in clients with substance abuse
7. Brief family counseling for substance abuse to promote harm-reduction/abstinence.
V. Making appropriate referrals to qualified Mental Health Professionals and other health
professionals for standardized psychological assessments, psychotherapy, and
pharmacotherapy.

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NOTE:

 This Diploma course has been approved by NIMHANS’ 20th Board of Studies.

 Continuing education/training is recommended for the certified candidates.

ABOUT THE TEAM OF TRAINERS:

Course Coordinator: Dr. Seema P Nambiar, Clinical Psychologist

Contributing Faculty Subject Experts from the Department of Clinical Psychology,

NIMHANS:

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

Acknowledgements: The contributions of Clinical Psychologists, Ms. Simran Chatha and

Mr. Kiran Kumar CTL towards the development of course content is acknowledged.

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