Community Mental Health module (GM53019)
Learn both theoretical and practical knowledge of key concepts, theories, and applications in community mental health within a global public health context
Mental health is shaped by the communities in which we live. This module provides the knowledge and skills needed to understand, promote, and lead community mental health practice within a global context.
You will examine the psychosocial determinants of community mental health and wellbeing, including culture, social equity factors and policies. The module explores the global burden of mental ill health, public attitudes towards mental health, stigma and evidence-based approaches to prevention, ranging from universal strategies to targeted interventions.
You will also explore community mental healthcare models that are grounded in person-centred and participatory approaches, including suicide prevention through the gatekeeper model, anti-stigma approaches. Drawing on interdisciplinary perspectives, the module encourages you to apply theoretical concepts directly to your own practice setting.
What you will learn
In this module, you will:
- Build theoretical and practical knowledge of community mental health within a global context.
- Develop the skills required to provide and lead high-quality mental healthcare within communities.
- Contribute to the development of mentally healthy communities through evidence-based, person-centred practice
By the end of this module, you will be able to:
- Illustrate the contribution of effective collaborative and cross-disciplinary strategies for community mental healthcare and wellbeing.
- Interpret evidence underpinning community mental healthcare and practical application in practice.
- Apply concepts, theories and methods related to mental health and well-being in an interdisciplinary framework that helps to think locally and globally.
- Identification of best practices in mental healthcare in a global mental health context.
- Demonstrate awareness of prevention, promotion and care of community mental health and well-being.
- Critically apply the knowledge acquired to inform future community-based mental health and wellbeing programmes, practices and policies.
- Catalyse inter-disciplinary community mental health research to address grand challenges in the prevention and care of public mental health.
- Construct the public health professional's role and responsibility in achieving the mental health of the population and producing a mental health community.
Assignments / assessments
Photovoice-based essay (50%)
- 1,500-word equivalent
- Focus on psychosocial determinants of community mental health, illustrated with photographs you have taken
Health promotion conference poster (20%)
- Prepared as an electronic document using Microsoft PowerPoint
- Focus on one topic: suicide prevention, community mental healthcare and wellbeing, or community mental health promotion
Online pre-recorded presentation (30%)
- Presentation of the conference poster content
- Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of your poster topic
This module does not have a final exam.
Teaching methods / timetable
- Pre-recorded lectures
- Online discussion boards
- Technology-enhanced learning activities
- Accessible online resources (available one week in advance)
All teaching is delivered online. An experienced interdisciplinary team delivers the sessions, and all resources are designed in accessible formats.
Module lead
- Type
- Person
