PSY6045 - Psychology of Mental Health and Distress

Objectives:

Assessment tasks are designed to enable students to demonstrate the Learning and Employability outcomes for the relevant level of study. Level Learning Outcomes are embedded in the assessment task(s) at that level. This enables a more integrated view of overall student performance at each level.

Content:

Introduction to psychopathology, diagnostic systems and psychological approaches to distress, and critical debates therein. Consideration of potential causes of mental ill-health and their prevalence among varying populations, for example, age, race, and culture. Consideration of a range of mental health conditions and their proposed psychological treatments/interventions. Critical evaluation of interventions in relation to outcomes and service user experience. Consideration of potential barriers to treatment and interventions to overcome such barriers. Examination of the BPS Code of Ethics and Conduct and BPS activities related to mental health and the principles of social justice (access, equity, diversity, participation and human rights).

Learning and Teaching Information:

Formal scheduled learning and teaching activities
Hours: 25 (sessions are flipped classroom with 30 minutes online asynchronous activity plus 2 hour in-person workshop)
Intended Group Size: 80

Guided independent study
Hours: 125

Further details relating to assessment
Students are asked to apply their knowledge of psychology to prepare a response to a question such as: Why are recovery rates of serious mental illness not improving and what can we do about it? How students respond to this question can be determined by the student, allowing them the flexibility to apply the knowledge they have learnt to current, real-life contexts. Plus, students can have the option to present their assignment in a mode that is best suited to their learning style, embracing a Universal Design to Learning. The assignment encourages students to critically evaluate the evidence presented in sessions to explore factors that, for example, support or hinder recovery, drawing a conclusion based on the evidence, and recommendations on potential interventions.

Assessment:

001 Negotiated Assignment; 2,000 words or equiv; end of semester 1 100%

Fact File

Module Coordinator - Louisa Peters
Level - 6
Credit Value - 15
Pre-Requisites - NONE
Semester(s) Offered - 6S1

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