Community Mental Health
PGD Community Mental Health 2024/25
Course start dateMonday, 8 December 2025
Course end dateMonday, 5 January 2026
Post Graduate Diploma in Community Mental Health
Programme Overview for Prospective Students
Address the critical need for mental health services in Nigerian communities with this specialized postgraduate programme. Designed to equip community health professionals with comprehensive knowledge and practical skills, this diploma focuses on delivering accessible mental health care, promoting psychological well-being, and managing mental health disorders at the community level.
Programme Structure
First Semester (24 Credit Units)
Establish foundational knowledge in mental health sciences and community principles.
| Course Code | Course Title | CU | LH | PH | CH |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHIM 711 | Neuroanatomy | 3 | 2 | 1 | 45 |
| CHIM 712 | Neurophysiology | 3 | 3 | 0 | 45 |
| CHIM 713 | Advance Mental Health Sociology | 3 | 3 | 0 | 45 |
| CHIM 714 | Concept of Mental Health | 3 | 3 | 0 | 45 |
| CHIM 715 | Family and Group Mental Health | 3 | 3 | 0 | 45 |
| CHIM 716 | Community Mental Health Emergencies | 3 | 3 | 0 | 45 |
| CHIG 711 | Bioethics | 3 | 3 | 0 | 45 |
| CHIG 712 | Research Methodology and Seminar | 3 | 3 | 0 | 45 |
Second Semester (22 Credit Units)
Develop clinical skills and apply knowledge in practical community settings.
| Course Code | Course Title | CU | LH | PH | CH |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHIM 721 | Mental Disorders | 3 | 3 | 0 | 75 |
| CHIM 722 | Psychopharmacology | 3 | 3 | 0 | 75 |
| CHIM 723 | Health Psychology | 3 | 3 | 0 | 75 |
| CHIM 724 | Practicum | 4 | 0 | 4 | - |
| CHIG 721 | Community Health Management | 3 | 3 | 0 | 45 |
| CHIG 722 | Research Project | 6 | 6 | 0 | 210 |
Total Programme: 46 Credit Units | 840 Contact Hours
What You Will Learn to Do
Foundational Knowledge & Assessment:
- Understand the structure and function of the nervous system in mental health
- Apply sociological principles to mental health issues in community contexts
- Assess mental health needs at individual, family, and community levels
- Recognize and respond to community mental health emergencies
Clinical Competencies & Intervention:
- Identify and classify common mental disorders using standardized criteria
- Understand psychopharmacological treatments and their community applications
- Apply health psychology principles to promote mental well-being
- Implement family and group-based mental health interventions
- Manage ethical considerations in community mental health practice
Community Practice & Management:
- Design and implement community mental health programmes and services
- Conduct mental health awareness campaigns and stigma reduction initiatives
- Manage mental health resources and services within primary healthcare settings
- Coordinate referrals and collaborative care with specialized mental health services
- Conduct community-based mental health research to address local needs
Who Should Enroll?
- Community Health Practitioners seeking mental health specialization
- Primary Healthcare Workers addressing psychological needs in their communities
- Public Health Officers responsible for mental health programme implementation
- NGO Staff working in mental health and psychosocial support services
- Social Workers and Counselors seeking community health integration
- Healthcare Professionals expanding their mental health service capabilities
Career Pathways
- Community Mental Health Specialists in primary health centers
- Mental Health Programme Coordinators at local government levels
- Psychosocial Support Officers in humanitarian and development organizations
- Mental Health Educators and stigma reduction campaign managers
- Community Rehabilitation Officers for mental health conditions
- Research Officers in community mental health studies
- Mental Health Consultants for primary healthcare systems
Programme Highlights
- Comprehensive Coverage: From neuroanatomy to community implementation
- Practical Focus: Includes supervised practicum in community settings
- Ethical Foundation: Strong emphasis on bioethics in mental health care
- Research Integration: Complete a community-based mental health research project
- MCPD Accreditation: Counts toward Mandatory Continuous Professional Development
- CHPRBN Recognition: Accredited by the national regulatory body
- Community-Relevant: Specifically designed for Nigerian cultural contexts
Key Areas of Focus
- Common mental disorders (depression, anxiety, psychosis, substance use)
- Family and community-based intervention strategies
- Mental health promotion and prevention programmes
- Crisis intervention and emergency mental health response
- Stigma reduction and mental health literacy campaigns
- Integration of mental health into primary healthcare systems
Why This Programme Is Essential
- Addresses the significant treatment gap for mental health conditions in Nigeria
- Provides practical skills for integrating mental health into community health services
- Supports national efforts to decentralize mental health care
- Enhances career prospects with specialized mental health credentials
- Empowers communities to address mental health needs locally
- Contributes to reducing the burden of mental disorders in Nigerian communities
Become a champion for mental health in your community. Equip yourself with specialized skills to address psychological needs, promote mental well-being, and transform mental health care delivery at the community level.