PUBLIC MENTAL HEALTH & WELL-BEING: SOCIAL EPIDEMIOLOGY, CONSEQUENCES, & PUBLIC HEALTH APPROACHES

Credit Hours: 3 · Undergraduate Upper-Level

Given unprecedented levels of mental health needs in America, this course seeks to highlight, from a public health perspective, the sociocultural, behavioral, and biological context of mental health disorders and mental well-being. The course will provide an overview of common mental health disorders’ epidemiology, social determinants of health, health and societal consequences, and public health approaches for their prevention. Discussed mental health topics include mood disorders, psychotic disorders, personality disorders, and substance use disorders. Coursework will consist of class discussions, readings, lectures, and an experiential learning project where students consider why a mental health problem of interest exists and its population health impact and envision solutions to address the issue.