UNIVERSITY OF CAPE TOWN

MENTAL HEALTH, MINDFULNESS, AND SELF-CARE
2-WEEK ONLINE MICRO COURSE

ONLINE SHORT COURSE

Use mindfulness and self-care techniques to empower yourself and others in prioritising mental health and overcoming stigma.

2 weeks,
entirely online

6–7 hours per week,
self-paced learning

Bite-sized modules,
weekly live sessions

ON COMPLETION OF THIS COURSE, YOU’LL WALK AWAY WITH:

1

An overview of key mental health conditions, including depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, psychotic disorders, and substance use disorders.

2

Mindfulness and self-care techniques to improve self-awareness, self-regulation, and compassion towards yourself and others.

3

Tools and techniques to equip yourself and others in mental health prioritisation.

4

A practical framework for becoming a ‘guide on the side’ for those experiencing mental health challenges.

COURSE CURRICULUM

Over the duration of this online micro course, you’ll work through the following modules:

MODULE 1 The Essential Principles of Mental Health in Context
Explore the fundamentals of mental health to deepen your understanding of yourself and others.

Recognise the context of mental health in South Africa and the benefits of mental health training
Review the signs and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders, using the head, heart, and feet model
Identify condition-specific management options for commonly occurring mental health conditions
Interpret how you can deepen your understanding of yourself in relation to others

MODULE 2 Tools and Approaches for Prioritising Mental Health, Mindfulness, and Self-Care
Practice mindfulness and self-care techniques when prioritising mental health.

Identify ways of collaborating with others so that you can be their ‘guide on the side’
Review the signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder, psychotic disorders, and individuals at risk of suicide, using the head, heart, and feet model
Identify condition-specific management options for severe mental health conditions and explore ways of assisting someone who may be at risk of suicide
Identify options for managing or admitting a physically aggressive individual according to the Mental Health Care Act
Articulate how mindfulness and self-care techniques can deepen your understanding of yourself and others

Please note that module titles and their contents are subject to change during course development.

COURSE CONVENORS

Dr Goodman Sibeko

Head of Addiction Psychiatry, UCT

Dr Goodman Sibeko’s work has focused on interventions using non-specialist workers in the management of severe mental illness. He has a developing research portfolio focused on task-sharing models for the treatment of harmful substance use, mental health, and HIV. He serves as director of the South Africa International Technology Transfer Centre.

Nurain Tisaker

Clinical Psychologist and Program Manager, South Africa HIV Addiction Technology Transfer Centre, UCT

With a master’s degree in clinical psychology, Nurain Tisaker is based at the USA-government-funded International Technology Transfer Centre (ITTC) at UCT’s department of psychiatry. Her experience ranges from private practice work as a clinical social worker, to lecturing at the South African College of Applied Psychology (SACAP) and in in-patient treatment centres. Tisaker founded an eating disorder unit in Cape Town, where she coordinated clinical processes and clients’ treatment programmes. Her approach is patient-centred using various therapeutic interventions.

AN ONLINE EDUCATION THAT SETS YOU APART

This UCT online short course is delivered in collaboration with online education provider GetSmarter, part of edX. Join a growing community of global professionals, and benefit from the opportunity to:

Gain verifiable and relevant competencies and earn invaluable recognition from an international selection of universities and institutions, entirely online and in your own time.

Enjoy a personalised, people-mediated online learning experience created to make you feel supported at every step.

Experience a flexible but structured approach to online education as you plan your learning around your life to meet weekly milestones.