The Psychology of Mental Health

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• evaluate theories in mental heath
• describe research and evaluate how well research has informed mental health theory and practice
• demonstrate knowledge of theories in mental health
• illustrate independent learning by reading material beyond the lecture

Students will be introduced the Psychology of Mental health by covering models and theories that explain the development and maintenance of mental ill-health, including 1) Genetics and Biological Explanations, 2) Environmental and Psychological Explanations, 3) Biomedical Model, 4) Biopsychosocial Model. Treatment of mental illness will be discussed using models previously covered. The concept of researching mental health will be discussed, covering different research methods used in the field.

Module content will be applied to the study of three groups of psychological disorders, 1) Affective Disorders (Depression), 2) Psychotic Disorders and 3) Neurodegenerative Disorders (Dementia). The concept of stigma around mental ill-health will also be covered. Skills will be developed in communicating mental health research to non-psychologists.

Teaching and learning methods

There will be 11 Lectures (1 hour) with associated Q&A and topic discussion sessions (1 hour), 1 Reading week, and office hours available for discussion. Tutorials will cover writing in Plain English for science communication, and also applied examples of lecture knowledge to diagnosis and treatment.

Assessment strategy

Science Communication Essay

Take Home Assessment

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External