Introduction to global Mental Health

ECTS Credits

10 ECTS

Level of Study

Master

Full-time/Part-time

Full-time

Teaching semester

Fall 2021

Place of Instruction

University of Bergen, Centre for crisis psychology

Objectives and Content

The course Global Mental Health introduces the students to mental health and mental health services as an integral part of health in a global perspective. In this course, the students will gain knowledge about mental health and mental disorders across contexts, and about the existing gap between needs and services. The Objective is that students will have knowledge and skills that can be used to promote mental health and resilience, and in efforts to prevent and treat mental disorders.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this course the students should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge:
The student has:

• Is familiar with central health concepts within the sustainable development agenda and health diplomacy
• Has knowledge of important mental health challenges across contexts through the life span and vulnerable groups
• Has in-depth knowledge of mental health challenges in emergencies and approaches to address these
• Is familiar with strategies to identify mental health needs and resources in low resource and humanitarian settings
• Is familiar with main guidelines on MHPSS in humanitarian settings
• Understands main aspects of Universal health coverage for mental health
• Is familiar with policies and actions plans for mental health
• Has knowledge of main partners and principles for cooperation

Skills:
The student has the ability to:

• Can use central terms within the field of global mental health and health diplomacy in a way that allows for critical discussion and engagement in cooperation and relevant discourse
• Can use a human rights approach
• Is able to describe important health determinants and health indicators
• Can discuss strategies for integrating local cultural perspective and adapt approaches for cross-cultural use
• Is able to describe central principles of intervention which could be used in complex emergencies
• Can identify and address ethical challenges in interventions and research in LMICs and humanitarian settings
• Is able to describe several scalable interventions, and is able to use at least one practical technique or method

General competence:

By the end of the course the student:

• Can find and critically evaluate relevant research and evidence
• Can analyse and critically assess mental health interventions across settings based on research and principles of engagement
• Can use knowledge from practice, research and guidelines for advocacy
• Can apply professional ethical guidelines and analyse ethical, practical and methodological challenges
• Can communicate and cooperate across disciplines, sectors and countries
• Can use research based knowledge in practice
• Can reflect on translating science to practice and vice versa

Required Previous Knowledge

Completion of at least two years of education in psychology or related area.

Access to the Course

Access is limited to students from the clinical psychology program at UiB. If an institutional agreement is in place, students from other programs may also be invited to apply.

Teaching and learning methods

The course will span a total of 5 weeks, with four days teaching and 1 day for self-study time each week.

The teaching will include lectures (real time and prerecorded), concrete field/lab/concrete tasks, films, role- play, case studies, and group work.

Compulsory Assignments and Attendance

Following working acquirements must be delivered to participate in the final evaluation:

1. 80 % mandatory attention at the lectures.
2. Completion of a reflection note or short project plan of 750 word before the final evaluation.

Forms of Assessment

Delivery of a project report and oral presentation of the report or project plan at a student (video) seminar arranged as a part of the course.

Grading Scale

Delivery of a project report and oral presentation of the report or project plan at a student (video) seminar arranged as a part of the course.

Reading List

Reading list of approximately 800 pages. This is a mix of research, field experience, guidelines and other sources

Course Evaluation

The course will be evaluated in accordance with the Faculty of Psychology¿s routines

for participatory evaluation and the University of Bergen Quality Assurance System.

Programme Committee

Centre for crisis psychology, Faculty of Psychology

Course Coordinator

Centre for crisis psychology,

Course Administrator

Centre for crisis psychology, Faculty of Psychology