-Introduction to Psychopathology: Defining Normality and Abnormality:

– Statistical, cultural, social and legal norms; the concept of mental disorder and the medical model Perspectives on MH:

Medical Model:

– The “medical model“: strengths and limitations.

– Positive Aspects: evidence from signs and symptoms; Making “mental illness“ just like “any other illness“ cures and treatments.

– Negative aspects: Labelling a person as “mentally ill“ is a stigma. Labelling people as “ill“ implies passivity and that they must be cured by others and have no active involvement in changing their own behaviour. Moral treatment Social Model:

– What is Non–medical Concept of ‘Illness’?

– Anti–psychiatry movement/school, Szasz, Laing, Foucault

– Safe environment; organic not mental ‘illness’; tolerance of unusual behaviour; points of view

– The Diagnostic Approach; Theories of’ Illness’; Ordering the’ Disorders’; Imperfections of

Medical Model; Implications of over diagnosis Stress-vulnerability-coping model:

– Factors which increase vulnerability to mental health conditions: Biological factors.

Personal attributes. Environmental and social stress; factors that protect individuals from developing mental health issues.

Classifications, diagnosis and related causes: ICD and DSM

– Organic mental disorders; Neurotic and stress-related disorders; Psychosis disorders

– Personality Disorders; Neurodevelopmental disorders; Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders Definition and Diagnosis:

– Diagnostic tools: clinical interview, psychological tests, behavioural observation, physiological tests, self-monitoring; problems of diagnosis – reliability and validity; differential diagnosis, labelling Treatment Approaches;

– Understanding mental health and the range and efficacy of various treatment approaches e.g., Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT);

– pharmacological and non-pharmacological; Mental Health Recovery and Advocacy

– What Is Advocacy? What Do Advocates Do? What Sort of Problems Can Advocates Help With? What Advocates Don’t Do; What Are the Different Forms of Advocacy? How to Find an Advocate Mental Health, Stigma and Society

– Theories of stigma in relation to mental health;

– Role of society and its relevant institutions in respect of the care and treatment of those with a mental health condition;

– Laws and health policy in perpetuating and/ or combating stigma

– Practical strategies and mental health campaigns to reduce stigmatisation of those experiencing mental health conditions.