Co-Occurring Physical, Cognitive/Intellectual, and Mental Health Disorders

This module discusses dual diagnoses in people with mental health and cognitive impairments. It includes learning how to apply behavior management techniques, identifying the need for professional help, navigating crisis support systems, and communicating with emergency services.

Learning Objectives

Identify common symptoms of mental illness among adults
Identify common risk factors of adults experiencing mental illness
Identify common adult mental health diagnoses and their symptoms
Understand the relationship between mental illness and substance use concerns
Recognize signs of crisis and know when to intervene appropriately
Know how to access the Kansas mental health system
Identify some crisis prevention strategies and de-escalation techniques to ensure the safety and well-being of individuals and staff

CMS Competencies

Crisis Prevention and Interventionksdsw@tthree.org2025-04-15T22:39:31-05:00

Crisis Prevention and Intervention

The DSW identifies risk and behaviors that that can lead to a crisis, and uses effective strategies to prevent or intervene in the crisis in collaboration with others.

Recognizes risk and works to prevent an individual’s crisis in a way that meets the individual’s need.
Uses positive behavior supports to prevent crisis and promote health and safety.
Uses appropriate and approved intervention approaches to resolve a crisis.
Seeks help from other staff or services when needed during a crisis.
Monitors situations and communicates with the individual and his or her family and support team to reduce risk.
Reports incidents according to rules.
Sees own potential role within a conflict or crisis and changes behavior to minimize conflict.

Evaluation and Observationksdsw@tthree.org2025-12-19T12:44:23-06:00

Evaluation and Observation

The DSW closely monitors an individual’s physical and emotional health, gathers information about the individual, and communicates observations to guide services.

Helps with the assessment process by gathering information from many sources.
Uses the results of assessments to discuss options with the individual and with team members to guide support work.
Collects data about individual goals and satisfaction with services.
Observes the health and behavior of the individual within his or her cultural context.

Safetyksdsw@tthree.org2025-04-15T16:17:19-05:00

Safety

The DSW is attentive to signs of abuse, neglect or exploitation and follows procedures to protect an individual from such harm. The DSW helps people to avoid unsafe situations and uses appropriate procedures to assure safety during emergency situations.

Abuse and Neglect

The Direct Service Worker:

Demonstrates the ability to identify, prevent, and report situations of abuse, exploitation, and neglect according to laws and agency rules.
Recognizes signs of abuse and neglect, including the inappropriate use of restraints, and works to prevent them.

Emergency Preparedness

The Direct Service Worker:

Maintains the safety of an individual in the case of an emergency.
Helps individuals to be safe and learn to be safe in the community.
Uses universal precautions and gives first aid as needed in an emergency.

Take Training

Test Out Course ID: 1127756

Test-Out Version

To test out of this module:

You must pass a competency exam by 90% or more.
You only get one attempt to pass the competency exam.
You must answer all questions.
If you pass the competency exam, you will earn the certificate for this module without having to complete the training.
If you do not pass the competency exam, you will have to complete the full training module to earn the certificate for this module.
There is no penalty for attempting the test-out exam and not passing.

Test-Out Training

Preview Course ID: 1128630