The Capstone ‘Passion’ Project

The goal: The Capstone ‘Passion’ Project is to provide students with an opportunity to integrate their passion and apply the knowledge, practice skills, and insights they have gained throughout their field placement and academic journey in AMHW. This Capstone ‘Passion’ Project allows students to explore a specific area of interest within their agency setting and a broader scope of Addiction and Mental Health, and to dive deeply into an area of the field that resonates with them; fostering a sense of curiosity, motivation, and evolving practice and expertise. The passion project provides an avenue for students to develop a unique perspective on a topic they care about and to demonstrate their readiness for professional practice. Students will have the opportunity to hone their research, analysis, facilitation, practice, and presentation skills while simultaneously contributing in a meaningful way to their agency and field of addiction and mental health.

Assignment Description: For the Capstone ‘Passion’ Project, students are tasked with selecting a relevant area of interest within the realm of their agency and the field of addiction and mental health. This could involve designing an innovative workshop/group/program, conducting research to address a gap in understanding, or creating educational resources for staff or community members, etc. Over the course of a semester, students will work closely with their AFS, agency staff, and community members and potentially collaborate with community organizations to execute their Capstone ‘Passion’ Project. This might involve research, data collection and analysis, critical thinking, and the application of group/workshop facilitation and practice skills. Students are encouraged to identify a specific area from their field placement settings that ignites their passion. Below are some examples of what this might “look like”, however, it’s ultimately up to the students to create their ideas and decide what aspect of their field placement resonates most with them professionally.  These options serve as a guide, but students can choose whatever project most aligns with their passion and professional interests. The project might culminate in a presentation, an educational resource, a new group, a workshop a paper, a wellness activity, or any creative representation that showcases their practice skills, findings, and AMHW professional insights.

Value and Significance: This Capstone ‘Passion’ Project holds immense value for several reasons. It requires students to synthesize theoretical concepts and practical skills acquired during their field placement and program. Students learn to navigate ethical considerations, collaborate with community members, and professionals in the field, and develop a comprehensive perspective on holistic care. Furthermore, the project empowers students to contribute to the ongoing evolution of addiction and mental health practices, leaving a lasting impact on the agency and the lives of the community members they are supporting. Lastly, the project holds significant value as it allows students to channel their enthusiasm into a meaningful AMHW ‘passion’ and practice endeavor. By pursuing a topic, they are genuinely passionate about, students are more likely to invest time and effort in research and exploration, leading to a deeper understanding of their chosen subject. This project also encourages students to take ownership of their learning and develop a sense of responsibility as emerging AMHW professionals by contributing to the field of addiction and mental health in a meaningful and impactful way.

Example #1: Workshop on Self-Care for Staff:

• Research: Explore existing self-care strategies and their relevance to AMHW professionals
• Content Creation: Develop workshop materials, including presentation slides, handouts, and interactive activities.
• Needs Assessment: Conduct a survey or interviews with workers to understand their specific self-care needs and challenges.
• Implementation: Deliver the workshop to a group of AMHW staff, collecting feedback and adjusting content as needed.
• Evaluation: Assess the workshop’s effectiveness through post-workshop surveys and reflections from participants.

Example #2: Culturally and Identify Affirming Client-Centered Program/Group/Workshop Design:

• Population: Identify a specific group of community members (e.g., youth, seniors, etc.,) within your agency setting
• Needs Assessment: Conduct assessments to understand the unique challenges and needs as well as cultural preferences, values and beliefs of the chosen group
• Program/Group/Workshop Development: Design a comprehensive program/group/workshop that addresses the identified needs, values, and preferences incorporating culturally specific and/or evidence-based intervention and or practice strategies.
• Implementation Plan: Create a step-by-step plan for implementing the program/group/workshop, including resources required and a timeline.
• Pilot Implementation: Run a small-scale pilot of the program/group/workshop with a group of community members, collecting feedback and adjusting.
• Program/Group/Workshop Evaluation: Assess the program’s/group/workshop outcomes, such as changes in community members’ well-being, engagement, and satisfaction.

Example #3: Literature Review and Best Practices Compilation:

• Topic Selection: Choose a specific area of interest within addiction and mental health (e.g., trauma-informed care).
• Literature Review: Conduct a thorough review of relevant literature to gather current research, theories, and best practices.
• Compilation: Organize the gathered information into a comprehensive document or presentation.
• Synthesis: Analyze the collected data to identify trends, gaps, and emerging areas of interest.
• Application: Propose how the compiled best practices can be integrated into real-world addiction and mental health agency settings.

Example # 4: Self-Care Workshop for Community Members:

• Research and Planning: Study effective self-care strategies tailored to community members in addiction and mental health services and treatment settings.
• Workshop Design: Develop engaging materials including presentation slides, handouts, and practical exercises.
• Adaptation: Tailor the workshop content to different community members’ needs and readiness stages.
• Pilot Workshop: Deliver the workshop to a small group of community members, gather feedback, and refine the materials.
• Evaluation and Reflection: Assess the impact of the workshop through community members’ feedback and reflections on their self-care practices.

Example #5: Agency-Specific Manual for Future Field Placement Students:

• Content Compilation: Gather comprehensive information, tips, and best practices relevant to addiction and mental health fieldwork.
• Organization: Arrange the manual into logical sections, such as building rapport, community member interaction, ethical considerations, documentation, and self-care.
• Case Examples: Include case examples and/or real-life scenarios to illustrate challenges and solutions in the field.
• Formatting and Presentation: Ensure the manual is well-structured, visually appealing, and easy to navigate.
• Peer Review: Share the manual with peers or mentors to gather feedback and make necessary improvements.

Example #6: Art Program for Survivors of Trauma:

• Needs Assessment: Explore the therapeutic benefits of art for trauma survivors and understand the specific needs of your target audience.
• Program Design: Develop a structured art program that includes different mediums, techniques, and themes.
• Trauma-Informed Approach: Integrate trauma-informed principles to create a safe and supportive environment.
• Pilot Program: Implement the art program with a small group of survivors, adjusting as needed based on their feedback.
• Impact Assessment: Evaluate the emotional, psychological, and social outcomes of the program on participants’ well-being.

Example #7 Mindfulness Workshop for Community Members:

• Mindfulness Research: Study mindfulness techniques and their potential benefits for community members in addiction and mental health recovery.
• Workshop Development: Create a workshop curriculum that introduces mindfulness practices, including meditation and awareness exercises.
• Client-Centered Approach: Adapt mindfulness practices to resonate with the needs and experiences of your specific group.
• Workshop Delivery: Facilitate or co-facilitate the workshop with community members, observing their engagement and collecting their feedback.
• Effectiveness Evaluation: Measure any changes in participants’ stress levels, emotional regulation, and overall well-being.

Irrespective of the chosen topic or idea, each project should follow a similar structure, including research, planning, development, implementation, evaluation, and reflection. This approach ensures a comprehensive understanding of the project’s impact and in turn, provides valuable insights.