Feb 24 - Douglas launches first psychosocial rehabilitation program in Western Canada

A new program at Douglas College will train mental health practitioners to help people with mental illness recover, take charge of their lives and reintegrate into their communities.

The Post-Degree Diploma in Psychosocial Rehabilitation Program – the first of its kind in Western Canada – will help satisfy a long-standing need in the mental health field, says Program Coordinator Dr. John Higenbottam.

Psychosocial Rehabilitation (PSR) is a system of supports and services for persons living with mental illness that focuses on helping them to live, work and function in their communities − and ultimately reintegrate into mainstream society. PSR approaches are important to recovery-oriented services, which meet key needs in psychosocial areas such as housing and employment.

“Services are community-based and clients take an active role in their own recovery,” says Higenbottam.

“It’s now recognized that meeting these needs is key to recovery and successful community living for those with mental illness.”

A main focus of PSR is education; clients are taught how to best manage their mental illness and decide how they want to be treated.

“PSR empowers the clients. They have choice over the services they want.”

Other key elements of PSR are housing programs, supportive employment and intense follow-up work with clients – all of which combine to help keep people out of the hospital, says Higenbottam.

“When clients receive these services in their communities, the rate of re-hospitalization reduces dramatically. It reduces the personal, social and economic costs of serious mental illness.”

Higenbottam says this shift in focus of mental health care has created a need for people who are skilled and qualified in PSR techniques – which means graduates of the Psychosocial Rehabilitation Program should see no shortage of employment opportunities in community mental health.

Similar programs are offered in Ontario, but the program at Douglas has one particular advantage, says Higenbottam. As part of the program, students will prepare to write the Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioners (CPRP) exam, which is recognized throughout Canada and the US.

“We really wanted them to graduate with a recognized credential."

The one-year, part-time program is geared towards working professionals, with classes in the evenings and on weekends. Experience in the field is not required – anyone with a bachelor’s degree can apply, as long as the psychology prerequisites are met.

Applications are now being accepted for the September 2011 start date. For more information, see douglascollege.ca/psr