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Module Catalogue

MS925-20 Foundations of Mental Health

Department
Warwick Medical School
Level
Taught Postgraduate Level
Module leader
John Davey
Credit value
20
Module duration
9 weeks
Assessment
100% coursework
Study location
Distance or Online Delivery

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Introductory description

This module covers the historical and theoretical underpinnings of mental health, including the socio-cultural, psychological, and biological factors that affect mental health. Students will explore evidence-based approaches for promoting mental wellbeing, preventing mental illness, and providing effective treatment and care.

Module web page

Module aims

To provide a comprehensive understanding of the historical, sociocultural, and biological underpinnings of mental health, and to explore evidence-based approaches to mental health promotion.

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

The outline syllabus gives an indication of the topics that will be covered in the module.

  1. Historical context, evolution of mental health concepts, and theories and models of mental health and illness.
  2. Socio-cultural, psychological, and biological determinants of mental health.
  3. Ethical provision of Mental Health care
  4. Evidence-based approaches to promoting good mental health
  5. Stigma, discrimination, and social inclusion.
  6. Mental health policy, services, and legislation.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

  • Analyse and describe the evolution of mental health concepts from a historical perspective and evaluate different theories and models of mental health and illness.
  • Critically evaluate the socio-cultural, psychological, and biological determinants of mental health.
  • Discuss how different disciplines contribute to our understanding of mental health and inform interventions and treatments.
  • Create strategies for promoting good mental health based on evidence-based approaches.
  • Evaluate the impact of stigma and discrimination on mental health and the importance of social inclusion.
  • Analyse and describe mental health policies, services, and legislation in different contexts.

Interdisciplinary

The understanding of mental health necessitates collaboration across disciplines, and it is appropriate that this is reflected in the course. The module is designed to appeal to a range of professionals, including medical, nursing, counselling, pharmaceutical, bioscience and other disciplines engaged in promoting good mental health.

International

The course will recruit from (and be delivered in) multiple territories, and the content will be tailored to the students’ own territories, reflecting local and international standards and approaches to understanding and promoting good mental health.

Subject specific skills

Subject-specific skills that will be obtained from the module include:

  • Ability to identify and describe a broad spectrum of mental health conditions.
  • Recognise the key signs and symptoms of common mental health disorders.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the basic therapeutic and management approaches to mental health conditions.

Transferable skills

Improvement of a range of transferable skills, including:

  • Written communication.
  • Oral communication.
  • Organisation and time management.
  • Independence and initiative.

Study time

Type Required
Online learning (scheduled sessions) 30 sessions of 1 hour (15%)
Online learning (independent) 130 sessions of 1 hour (65%)
Assessment 40 hours (20%)
Total 200 hours

Private study description

No private study requirements defined for this module.

Costs

No further costs have been identified for this module.

You do not need to pass all assessment components to pass the module.

Assessment group A
Weighting Study time Eligible for self-certification
Assessment component
Poster presentation on a mental health promotion initiative linked to the student’s professional environment. 30% 15 hours Yes (extension)

Poster presentation on a mental health promotion initiative linked to the student’s professional environment. This may include strategies for promoting good mental health, social inclusion, or the availability of new / enhanced services.
Student’s will be guided to prepare a poster and a recorded presentation of 10 minutes.
Reassessment component is the same
Assessment component
Written report on a mental health strategy, policy, or service. 70% 25 hours Yes (extension)

A 2,000-word report requiring students to critically appraise a provided case study of a mental health programme.
Drawing upon relevant literature, students will analyse the effectiveness, limitations, and socio-cultural implications of the chosen subject. Recommendations for enhancements based on evidence-based practices should be included.
This assessment is designed to meet the learning outcomes related to understanding mental health frameworks, evaluating evidence-based practices, and considering socio-cultural factors in mental health.
Reassessment component is the same
Feedback on assessment

Submissions will be marked and moderated using a standardised rubric on the following assessment criteria:

  • analysis
  • application
  • communication
  • evaluation
  • knowledge
  • understanding
    Feedback, including marks, will be given electronically to students.

There is currently no information about the courses for which this module is core or optional.