Free Online Mental Health Courses

Being depressed used to be brushed off as a problem with the person themselves. But today we know that there is much more to depression than feeling ‘sad’ and the causes can be many and complex. Symptoms can be mild, or they can be all-consuming and have negative effects on our relationships, ability to work and study, and even lead to suicidal ideation. Thank goodness that help is at hand. It is vital that anyone suffering from clinical depression should speak to their doctor in the first instance. Once medical care has begun, or for people with mild cases, some of Affiliate Watch 24’s free courses may provide coping strategies that can lessen the load and allow you to see a glimmer of light. Furthermore, the friends, families and colleagues of the afflicted can get a much better understanding of what the sufferer is going through. Only when we have insight, can we truly help.

Addiction is a disease or psychological disorder where someone repeatedly engages in harmful behaviour. In the case of substance abuse, this is a pattern of using any legal or illegal substance (such as alcohol, inhalants, prescription medications and illicit drugs) for mood-altering purposes. Generally, substance abuse can happen as initial experimentation with these substances turns to regular use, which fosters tolerance (where a person needs more to achieve the same effect) and dependency, culminating in addiction. There are many reasons why some can experiment but never become addicts, while others become dependent. These may include genetics, poor mental health, peer pressure, lack of a support system and the fact that many substances are physically addictive. Alcohol, amphetamines, painkillers and other substances are abused by millions of people every day. By studying certified courses in substance abuse, you can understand addiction and help those afflicted. Career paths include working as an addiction or chemical dependency counsellor in private or public practice, specializing in treating specific dependencies (such as heroin) and being a substance abuse educator in schools, clinics or prisons. The first step to freeing someone from addiction is learning about it.

'Anxiety' is so much more than simply feeling nervous. We all get nervous on occasion but people with anxiety may feel constant dread and fear over everyday situations. This can have physical manifestations like an elevated pulse, fatigue, sweating and panicked breathing. Left untreated, anxiety can have a debilitating effect on a person's ability to work, study or form meaningful relationships. Our free courses will show you what anxiety is and give you ways of treating it so you can help yourself or others. Becoming a professional anxiety coach could be a fulfilling career.

Psychiatrists are concerned with understanding mental health and behaviourial disorders, and how to treat them. Unlike psychologists, qualified, certified and registered psychiatrists can prescribe powerful drugs - like anti-depressants - to help their patients cope with severe ailments and rectify a chemical imbalance in the brain. While our courses won't allow you to do that, they will give you an understanding of everything that goes into psychiatry. If you are considering this challenging but fulfilling field as a possible career, take our free modules to see if it resonates with you. Even if you are simply interested in learning more in order to understand yourself or a loved one better, sign up for a course or two and expand your mind with Affiliate Watch 24.