HUS 3370 - Issues In Mental Health

College of Health Sciences

Credit(s): 3
Contact Hours: 47
Effective Term Fall 2024 (640)

Requisites

(Prerequisite HSA 4184 with a minimum grade of C and
Admission to Health Services Administration (Bachelor of Applied Science) (HSA-BAS)) or
(Prerequisite DEH 3813 with a minimum grade of C and
Admission to Dental Hygiene (Bachelor of Applied Science) (DENH-BAS)) or
Admission to Human Services (Bachelor of Science) (HUMSVC-BS) or
Admission to Applied Mental Health (Advanced Technical Certificate with Financial Aid Eligibility) (AMH-ATC)

Course Description

This course will examine the concepts of mental health and mental disorders from a variety of perspectives within a social context. Students will explore the incidence and prevalence of mental illnesses in the U.S., the social consequences of mental illness, such as stigma, marginalization, and isolation, barriers to care, and strategies for treatment and resolution of mental health issues and illnesses. Students will examine the role of social factors in the etiology and treatment of issues intertwined with mental health.

Course Topics

Special Topics for First Responders
 

Content is contextualized for the Law Enforcement/First Responder cohort program. These topic sections will only be made available to the students in the cohort.

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

  1. The student will identify multiple perspectives of mental health and mental illness by:
    1. explaining the continuum of mental health.
    2. explaining characteristics of mental wellness or positive mental health.
    3. differentiating between mental health, mental illness, and mental disorders.
    4. outlining selected mental health illnesses and disorders and their characteristics.
  2. The student will analyze mental health in a broad social context by:
    1. exploring the complex interrelationship of mental health conditions and a range of social issues such as homelessness, incarceration, domestic violence, poverty, violence, unemployment, sexual orientation issues, substance abuse, crime, natural disasters and other traumatic events, or marginalization.
    2. explaining the interaction of biological, psychological, social, cultural and environmental factors in the mental health of the population
    3. identifying potential risk factors and warning signs of various mental health problems.
  3. The student will assess the mental health needs of diverse segments of the population by:
    1. identifying the incidence and prevalence of mental health issues and disorders among the general population and within specific subgroups.
    2. discussing the specific psychosocial stressors that contribute to mental health issues in vulnerable segments of the population.
    3. identifying barriers that limit access to services and treatment for individuals with mental health issues.
    4. identifying protective factors that help support mental wellness in the community.
  4. The student will analyze the implications of stigma and stereotypes in relation to mental health by:
    1. identifying common misconceptions, stereotypes and labels related to mental illness in our society.
    2. articulating the role and impact of stigma in the treatment of mentally ill individuals in our society.
    3. evaluating how media portrayals of mental illness influence societal attitudes and understanding of mental illness.
    4. explaining how stigma marginalizes and creates barriers that discourage individuals with mental health issues from seeking help.
  5. The student will explore resources related to mental health issues in the community by:
    1. discussing available mental health professional, peer, and social resources in the community
    2. identifying major advocacy groups providing mental health services at the local, state, and national level.
    3. identifying gaps in the services continuum for individuals with mental health issues.
    4. describing self-help resources focusing on mental health issues.

Criteria Performance Standard

Upon successful completion of the course the student will, with a minimum of 70% accuracy, demonstrate mastery of each of the above stated objectives through classroom measures developed by individual course instructors.

History of Changes

C&I 5/25/2010, BOT 7/22/2010, Effective 20101(0430). Submitted as 3323, SCNS approved as 3370 C&I Approval: 01/20/2012, BOT Approval: 02/21/2012, Effective Term: Spring 2014 (480). C&I Approval: 11/20/2015, BOT Approval: 03/15/2016, Effective Term: Fall 2016 (520). C&I Approval: 02/21/2020, BOT Approval: 03/17/2020, Effective Term: Fall 2020 (580).
C&I Approval: , BOT Approval: , Effective Term: Fall 2024 (640)

Related Programs

  1. Applied Mental Health (AMH-ATC) (660) (Active)
  2. Dental Hygiene (DENH-BAS) (640) (Active)
  3. Health Services Administration (HSA-BAS) (655) (Active)
  4. Human Services (HUMSVC-BS) (640) (Active)