Top 15 Free Online Mental Health Courses

The importance of mental health cannot be overemphasized. Mental health, as a concept, focuses on the social and emotional wellbeing of an individual. Being mentally sound goes beyond not being ill. It is rather a state of total or overall wellbeing.

There is a wide range of online courses (which are free) designed to create awareness on mental health. Also, there are quite a good number of reasons to opt for online education (the most important being flexibility, convenience and cost of acquiring the course). Regardless of how tight your schedule is, you can learn at your own pace.

In this article, we’ve enlisted Top 15 Mental Health Courses which are available online for free. You can enroll in any of these courses to know more about human behaviour (psychology), improve your mental health and be more productive in your daily activities (work).

How Valid Are Online Health Courses?

Online health courses are very valid. They are offered by the best universities in the world. In addition, these courses are taught by the world’s renowned lecturers or professors. The significant difference between an online and offline mental health courses is the mode of delivery. The online courses are offered via online learning platforms.

What Is The Difference Between A Psychologist And Mental Health Counsellor?

It may seem as though there is no difference. However, there is a notable difference. The psychologist pays more attention on evaluation. In addition, he intervenes for his clients with specific disorders by running diagnostic tests, consulting with healthcare professionals and carrying out research. On the other hand, mental health counsellors apply the psychologist’s research in their therapy.

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The mental health courses listed below will equip you with the necessary knowledge and skill required to be an effective mental health worker.

• Managing Study, Stress and Mental Health

This is a creation of Curtin University, and it is hosted on edX online learning platform. This course is specifically designed for university students. Often times, students are exposed to a whole lot of stress, and this can affect their mental health. However, by enrolling in this course, you will be able to identify and respond swiftly to mental issues affecting you, or persons around you. You can enroll here for this course.

• Caring For Vulnerable Children

By enrolling in this course, you will learn what it takes to care for vulnerable children. This course is designed for individuals who enjoying working in environments with lots of kids. You can enroll here for this course.

• General Psychiatric Management For BPD

BPD — Borderline Personality Disorder, is a form of mental disorder where a person has an unstable mood or behaviour. In this course, offered by Harvard Medical School, you will be trained on how to spot and administer treatment to individuals living with BPD. You can enroll here for this course.

• Awareness of Mental Health Problems

This free online course is designed mainly to help you understand a wide range of mental health issues, and is hosted by StriveTraining. In addition, it can be completed within 5 — 10 weeks. You can enroll here for this course.

• Positive Psychiatry and Mental Health

This free online course is offered by the University of Sydney, and is hosted by Coursera — an online learning platform. In this course, you will find out the causes, treatment and major types of mental disorders. You can enroll here for this course.

• Addressing Postnatal Depression as a Healthcare Professional

Often times, pregnant women go through anxiety disorders. If not properly handled, it can be devastating to their mental health. In this course, one vital thing you will learn is how to provide support to new or soon-to-be parents. This course is offered by the University of Exeter, and is hosted on FutureLearn. You can enroll here for this course.

• Dementia Care

Dementia is an ailment that is common among old folks. Because of their age, they need proper care. However, not a lot persons have the necessary skills to handle this set of persons. Thus, in this course, you will learn the basic principles of how to provide support and care for persons living with dementia. This course is hosted by Vision2Learn. In addition, this course can be completed in 16 weeks. You can enroll here for this course.

• Youth Mental Health: Helping Young People With Anxiety

This course is specifically designed for individuals (mostly teachers) who seek to help teenagers deal with pressure and anxiety disorder. In this course, you will acquire relevant skills needed to manage anxiety disorder in young folks. You can enroll here for this course.

• Mindfulness For Wellbeing and Peak Performance

This mental health course is offered online for free by Monash University on the FutureLearn platform. In this course, you will learn effective techniques needed to reduce stress, as well as improve your total wellbeing and overall performance in your daily activities. You can enroll here for this course.

• Beating Depression

Often times, a lot of people suffer from depression, and they need help to overcome this battle. In this free course (offered by Alison), you will be equipped with the vital skills needed to beat depression. Also, you will be exposed to the psychological effects of depression. You can enroll here for this course.

• Psychological First Aid

In this course administered by John Hopkins University on Coursera, you will learn how to administer mental first aid to individuals in the case of an emergency. This is not the regular first aid you give to an accident victim. In administering this kind of first aid, you will employ a model known as RAPID — Reflective listening, Assessment of needs, Prioritization, Intervention and Disposition. You can enroll here for this course.

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• Mental Health and Nutrition

This course is offered by the University of Canterbury on edX. You cannot downplay the importance of nutrition in the mental health of an individual. No doubt, the right kind of food, when taken, can improve your overall wellbeing. By enrolling in this course, you will be exposed to the right kind of food to consume, as a way of fighting against mental disorders. You can enroll here for this course.

• Supporting Individuals With Intellectual Disabilities and Mental Illness

If you desire to be a mental health worker or psychologist, it is vital to know how to handle persons with intellectual disabilities. This course is designed to establish you as a mental health professional. You can enroll here for this course.

• The Arts and Science of Relationship: Understanding Human Needs

This mental health course is administered by the University of Toronto on Coursera. In this course, you will acquire relevant skills in psychology and communication. In addition, you will learn how to build a healthy relationship with people around you. You can enroll here for this course.

• Diploma in Mental Health

There are several benefits of enrolling in this course. As a matter of fact, you can land a job ad an assistant mental health worker in any organization. This course is offered on Alison, and by enrolling in this course, you will have a clearer understanding of diverse mental illness. Also, you will be able to detect mental illness symptoms, as well as administer treatment where (and when) necessary.

Often times, many don’t realize they are not mentally sound until it’s late. In most cases, this can lead to the death of an individual. Overtime, it has been discovered that only individuals who are physically and mentally sound are highly productive.

It’s not a bad idea enrolling in one of these free mental health courses administered online. Some of the courses listed above offer certificates upon completion. In most cases, the certificates are free of charge. Otherwise, you will need to pay a little token.

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