BCHS 7352 - Mental Health Promotion in Community Health Science

[3 Credits]

This course exposes students to the emerging field of mental health promotion; its history, principles, theories; and its differences and linkages to mental illness prevention. The course objectives are to impart knowledge of the basic principles of mental health promotion; teach the many factors causal to mental illness and the maintenance of mental health; and afford students an understanding of the complexity and multiplicity of disciplines involved in the practice of mental health promotion. In this course, students will review trends (vital statistics and epidemiology) in mental health among different populations as well as the risk and protective factors associated with mental health. Students will explore the sociocultural definitions and impact of mental health, mental illness, and stigma. The course describes a conceptual paradigm for mental health promotion from both policy and practice frameworks, including assessment, consultation, education, and training.