Introductory description

This module supports students to examine how mental health is understood and how mental distress is treated globally. A key feature of this module is the opportunity to develop an appreciation of how a global understanding of mental health supports high quality practice with children, families, and communities in the United Kingdom. This module aligns with QAA Benchmark Statements of Health Studies, Sociology, Early Childhood and Youth and Community. The design of this module has been informed by student and employer consultation. This module directly connects to workplace practice by facilitating students to be reflective of the many factors affecting mental health whilst paying attention to values of service users, theories and professional perspectives that inform thinking and actions. Upon completion of this module, students will be able to demonstrate recognition of the primacy of service user interests and well-being while complying with complex interplay of economic, professional, ethical and legal obligations.

Module aims

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.

Introduction to global mental health and wellbeing
Epidemiology – how mental health affects populations and why
Global approaches to prevention in mental health and promotion of wellbeing – 2 sessions
Group work
Group work
Mental health and wellbeing across the life span: mental health, mental distress and mental illness at different life stages.
Interdisciplinary theoretical approaches to understanding global mental health.
Social interventions: individual and public health level approaches.
Community health care – when there is no Doctor/people’s health in people’s hands.
Policy initiatives aimed at reducing gaps in mental health treatment.
So what? Now what? What next? – Contemporary issues and services in global mental health and wellbeing.
Workshop

Learning outcomes

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

• Compare and contrast different approaches to global mental health promotion, prevention and treatment.
• Critically evaluate global priorities for mental health research, policy and services.
• Explore the value of interdisciplinary theoretical approaches to understanding global mental health.
• Discuss global mental health across the life span and how this relates to children and family’s health and wellbeing in the UK.

Indicative reading list

Reading lists can be found in Talis

Interdisciplinary

The module draws on dominant discourses of health, sociology, early childhood and youth and community. The rationale for this is that the module and indeed the degree is not isolated in one discipline and requires an understanding of the intersection of other disciplines to develop professionally when working with children, families and communities to promote health and wellbeing.

Subject specific skills

Global, environmental and planetary dimensions of health
Comparisons within and between healthcare systems and modes of delivery
The central theoretical arguments and paradigms in health research
The diversity of the experience of health and physical and mental wellbeing
Social policy approaches and potential influence upon health and physical and mental well-being
Draw on authoritative research and research methodologies to locate, review and evaluate research findings relevant to health and health issues, across a range of disciplines

Transferable skills

Communicate with others in a clear and articulate manner, within a wide variety of audiences, through a range of media
Use appropriate academic conventions in the production and presentation of work
Present ideas and arguments in a well-structured and coherent manner in a variety of formats and media
Work with a range of stakeholders, networks, groups and organisations, taking responsibility for an agreed area of shared activity
Demonstrate recognition of the primacy of service user interests and well-being while complying with complex interplay of economic, professional, ethical and legal obligations.
Gather and evaluate relevant information from a wide variety of sources, using appropriate manual and digital systems
Use information and communications technology to enhance digital capability and digital literacy in a variety of contexts