Mental Health Technician

Mental Health Technician Module 1
Mental Health Technician Profession 

• What is a Mental Health Technician
• The Care Team and Working Under Supervision
• History of Mental Health Care
• Deinstitutionalization and Its Effects
• The Continuum of Care
• Inpatient, Outpatient and Residential Settings
• Recovery Model
• How Services are Funded and Accessed

Mental Health Technician Module 2  
Understanding Mental Health and Illness

• Mental Health vs. Mental Illness
• Mental Health Continuum
• What Contributes to Mental Illness
• Risk Factors and Protective Factors
• Stigma and Its Effects on Care
• Ethics and Values
• Confidentiality and HIPAA
• Patient Rights and Dignity
• Informed Consent and Right to Refuse
• Mandatory Reporting
• Scope of Practice

Mental Health Technician Module 3
Therapeutic Communication

• What Makes Communication “Therapeutic”
• Active Listening and Core Techniques
• Nonverbal Communication
• Barriers and Roadblocks to Avoid
• The Phrases of the Helping Relationship
• Boundaries, Transference and Countetransference

Mental Health Technician Module 4
Common Mental Health Disorders    

• How Disorders Are Grouped
• Mood Disorders
• Depression and Bipolar Disorder
• Anxiety and Trauma-Related Disorders
• Psychotic Disorders – Schizophrenia
• Personality Disorders

Mental Health Technician Module 5
Observation, Documentation and Reporting

• Why Observations Matter
• Structured Behavioral Observation
• Mental Status
• Objective vs. Subjective Documentation
• How to Chart Well
• What and When to Report

Mental Health Technician Module 6
Safety, Crisis Prevention and De-escalation  

• Building a Safe Environment
• Recognizing Escalation Early
• De-escalation
• Suicide and Self-Harm Awareness
• Aggression and Personal Safety

Mental Health Technician Module 7  
Therapeutic Environment and Varying Populations

• Daily Living with Dignity
• Routines and Structure
• Activities and Group Support
• Creating a Healing, Safe, Recovery-Oriented Environment
• Children and Adolescents
• Older Adults and Cognitive Change
• Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
• Trauma-Informed Care

Mental Health Technician Module 8  
Substance Use, Co-occurring Disorders and Medication Support  

• Substance Use Basics
• Co-occurring Disorders
• Recognizing Intoxication and Withdrawal
• Psychiatric Medication Groups
• Medication Support Role
• Professional and Teamwork
• Self-Care

**Outlines are subject to change, as courses and materials are updated.**