Mental Disorder, Mental Health, and Public Health

Course Number
CHL5634H
Series
5600 (Clinical Public Health)
Format
Lecture
Course Instructor(s)
Branka Agic, Daniel Felsky, Patricia Di Ciano

Course Description

This course will examine mental disorders and mental health using a public health framework that situates mental health and illness in a complex web of biological, psychological, social and environmental factors. Mental disorders will be defined, and their impacts on the individual, community and larger society will be considered. The course will discuss the epidemiology of these disorders, and broad knowledge of their correlates and determinants will be presented. Inequities in mental health experienced by marginalized populations in particular Indigenous Peoples and Black people as well as cultural perspectives on mental health will be explored.

The use of AI in mental health research and interventions including the potential negative impact on marginalized groups underrepresented in the AI algorithms’ training data will be discussed. The importance of engaging people with lived experience (PWLE) in research, program and policy development will be highlighted. Clinical and public health approaches to mental disorders will be compared, including discussion of the role of policy, the philosophies and practices of treatment and prevention services, and the design of effective public health strategies to address mental disorders and promote mental health.

Course Objectives

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

  1. Define mental health and mental disorders.
  2. Discuss the epidemiology of mental disorders.
  3. Identify the individual, social and environmental determinants of mental health and mental disorders.
  4. Recognize disparities and inequities in mental health among population groups.
  5. Discuss the use of AI in mental health research and interventions.
  6. Describe societal challenges surrounding the stigmatization of mental illness.
  7. Explain public health interventions for mental disorders.

Methods of Assessment

Briefing Note 15%
Class Presentation of the Briefing Note 5%
Evidence Brief 50%
Class Presentation of the Evidence Brief 20%
Class Participation 10%