Overview

Workshops will introduce you to the main concepts in mental health and wellbeing, and provide you with an opportunity to explore the topic by considering real-world case studies.

An online lecture series will also provide insights from a range of professionals in the field of mental health and wellbeing. These insights will include consideration of mental ill health (e.g. mood, anxiety, trauma, abuse, etc) and mental wellness (e.g. wellbeing, resilience, positive psychology, etc). Each lecture will be accompanied by a reading list accessible through the University library.

Assessments will enable you to explore your area of interest in the field of mental health and wellbeing by producing an essay demonstrating insight and evaluation and a blog informing the general public on your chosen topic.

Topics may include: -unpicking the differences between health and wellbeing -principles, practices, policies, and legislation associated with the promotion of mental health and wellbeing in future generations -the impact social elements have on mental health and wellbeing -the limitations of the medical approach to diagnosis and treatment -the impact of biological and psychological traits on mental health and wellbeing -Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and the Cognitive Model (Beck) -Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and the extent to which life events can impact on how we act -interventions designed to enhance mental wellness through wellbeing, resilience, and positive psychology training -measuring mental health and wellbeing -the roles of different services and practitioners -the link between stress and productivity

Assessment Strategy

-threshold -C+ to C-•Limited insight into the assessment, symptoms, risks, and treatment for different forms of mental distress and methods of managing mental wellness•Some knowledge of Mental Health & Wellbeing•Understanding of the main concepts, but with factual errors in non-core concepts•Limited analysis showing only obvious points of evaluation and links between ideas•Highly limited originality in approach, interpretation, and/or voice•Highly limited evidence of independent research •Arguments presented but lack coherence with evidence for only some claims•Focused but with some irrelevant material and weaknesses in structure •Acceptable presentation with appropriate expression•Attempt at correct format in appropriate referencing style -good -B+ to B-•Some insight into the assessment, symptoms, risks, and treatment for different forms of mental distress and methods of managing mental wellness•Strong knowledge of Mental Health & Wellbeing•Clear understanding and mostly free of factual errors •Some analysis showing critical evaluation and links between ideas•Some originality in approach, interpretation, and/or voice•Some independent research •Coherent arguments with evidence for most claims•Focused and well structured•Good presentation with accurate and appropriate expression•Mostly correct format in appropriate referencing style -excellent -A* to A-•Insightful awareness of the assessment, symptoms, risks, and treatment for different forms of mental distress and methods of managing mental wellness•Comprehensive knowledge of Mental Health & Wellbeing•Detailed understanding with no factual errors •Critical analysis showing evaluation and synthesis of ideas•Originality in approach, interpretation, and/or voice•Extensive independent research •Logically defended arguments with evidence for all claims•Highly focused and well structured •Excellent presentation with accurate and appropriate expression•Correct format in appropriate referencing style

Learning Outcomes

• Debate the psychological and biological explanations and interventions for relieving mental distress and enhancing mental wellness, with critical evaluation of their empirical evidence base and potential risks.

• Design appropriate wellbeing interventions to enhance the resilience of the self and others.

• Hold an applied understanding of the principles, practices, policies, and legislation associated with the promotion of mental health and wellbeing in future generations.

• Synthesise psychological, social, and pharmacological theories to analyse the continuum of mental health and wellbeing.