Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Workplace Wellness and Health Promotion Looks at Corporate and Community Health

Health and wellness programs at Centennial College are becoming increasingly popular as entire communities and the corporate world looks to a holistic and multidisciplinary approach to health. As the first post-graduate program of its kind in Canada, Centennial College’s Workplace Wellness and Health Promotion is designed for mature students who already possess a college diploma, or university degree. These students spend two semesters being trained for roles as managers of wellness and health promotion programs.

Thanks to courses facilitated from Centennial’s most-technologically advanced campus as well as a field placement that allows students to integrate and apply theories and skills, they become knowledgeable in: program design and management, psycho-social and physical health issues, mental health management, nutrition, program planning and health promo theory, assessing health risk factors, and more.

In total, there are 12 courses in the Workplace Wellness and Health Promotion offering. All of them are directly related to the industry. Here is a look at a few.

Health Promotion Theory: Key concepts — history, principles and values, theory and strategies behind health promotion practice — are explored. Students also learn about social, economic, cultural, political and ethical considerations associated with the implementation of health promotion activities. Finally, there is a national and international concept with students learning about the Canadian healthcare system and how it affects individuals, communities and society at large as well as key global health concerns, challenges and opportunities with strategies for promoting health in the global context.

Health & Wellness Concepts: Key definitions, principles, fundamental concepts and goals central to the field of wellness are explored. Taking it a step further, students also learn how self-care beliefs and practices, and cultural diversity factors affect individual assessments of health. These areas lead to an investigation of the socio-cultural aspects of health, gender differences in health status, health literacy, and ethical issues particular to the field of wellness. Students have a hands-on opportunity when they will organize and deliver a professional health fair that presents information on current wellness/health promotion trends to a number of key stakeholders.

Mental Health Management: This course offers an overview of the psycho-social risk factors that exist across the mental health/mental illness continuum. Through three different course modules, this aspect of the program examines the types of physical and emotional behaviors associated with mental health/illness, key signs and symptoms, myths and assumptions and the impact of mental illness on individuals and workplaces.

Health Promotion and Organizational Development: One of the responsibilities of the Health Promotion Program is to prepare students for the field by helping them to develop and demonstrate job search, interviewing and networking skills, and by giving them the opportunity to build a strong resume, write a compelling cover letter, and begin to compile a professional career portfolio. This course sees student’s research career opportunities examine current workplace trends; develop oral communication/presentatin skills, and more.

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