Shafi Institute

Overview

In today’s world, mental illness and distress are common, contributing significantly to disability within our community. Concurrently, there is a growing interest in understanding and improving positive mental health and wellbeing, driven by advancements in positive psychology and mental health promotion. Positive Psychiatry, a term coined by Jeste et al. (2016), describes a dual approach to mental health that focuses on building strengths, supports, and healthy lifestyles, in addition to treating illness and distress. In this course, we will explore various aspects of good mental health and provide an overview of major mental disorders, their causes, treatments, and how to seek help and support. The course features numerous Australian experts in psychiatry, psychology, and mental health research, as well as "lived experience experts" who share their personal stories of living with and recovering from mental illness.

Curriculam

This course focuses on various aspects of mental health, stress management, and recovery, drawing from a range of perspectives and research findings. The modules cover topics such as positive mental health, stress reduction techniques, physical health's impact on mental well-being, personality strengths, and identifying one's own strengths. Additionally, the course explores concepts related to love, work, rest, play, social connections, attachment theory, and contributions to well-being. It also delves into mental illness categories, their symptoms, causes, treatments, and paths to recovery, including early intervention, personal recovery philosophies, consumer support networks, creative arts therapy, and spiritual practices.