Hepatitis C for Mental Health Professionals

Course overview

The liver is a crucial organ for human thriving and survival and plays an extensive role in the body's overall health. When clients are diagnosed with liver disease, the effects are broad and influence the physical, social, and psychological aspects of the person's quality of life. Mental health clinicians are best equipped to support these clients and participate as useful members of a treatment team when they have a clear understanding of the disease and its management. In addition to the medical aspects, clients will need support and education related to transmission, disclosure, lifestyle changes, and navigating stigma. This learning material provides an overview of the liver and its role in the body's wellbeing, as well as the most common liver diseases, with a special emphasis on hepatitis C. Hepatitis C has its own implications for clients who are living with it, particularly with regards to transmission and stigma. Improving clients' understanding of their disease and supporting them in working through the social aspects of living with it are important parts of the mental health clinician's role. Medical information in simple terms related to diagnosis, treatment, and disease management, as well as case examples and tools for navigating the clinical relationship with clients who have liver disease, will equip clinicians to most effectively support them.