Learn how social factors promote mental health, influence the onset and course of mental illness, and affect how mental illnesses are diagnosed and treated.
This course explores how our understanding of mental health and illness has been influenced by social attitudes and social developments in North America and around the world. The course begins by situating our contemporary mental health practices in historical context, then looks at different aspects of mental health, mental illness and mental health services and their connections to what’s going on in our social environment.
The Social Context of Mental Health and Illness
Offered By
University of Toronto
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
Week
14 hours to complete
Welcome and A Brief History of Madness
We begin with a quick orientation to the course and continue with our first lecture topic: A brief history of madness.
11 videos (Total 120 min), 2 readings, 1 quiz
11 videos
1.0 Introduction 7m
1.1 Visiting the asylum 9m
1.2 Why the asylum? 20m
1.3 20th century mental health care 14m
1.4 Antipsychiatry 12m
1.5 Deinstitutionalization 15m
1.6 Community-based mental health care 15m
1.7 Recovery and mental health 11m
1.8 Conclusion 4m
Bonus material: An introduction to author Caroline Fei-Yeng Kwok 6m
2 readings
Course Information10m
Readings and Resources10m
Week
22 hours to complete
What is mental health and what causes mental illness?
8 videos (Total 77 min), 1 reading
8 videos
2.1 defining mental health 7m
2.2 what is mental illness? 12m
2.3 social determinants of mental health 9m
2.4 SDoH in action 14m
2.5 the biopsychosocial perspective on mental health 13m
2.6 applying the biopsychosocial perspective 12m
2.7 Conclusion 4m
1 reading
Readings and Resources10m
Week
34 hours to complete
The social context of diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses
9 videos (Total 105 min), 1 reading, 2 quizzes
9 videos
3.1 Demystifying the DSM 15m
3.2 Diagnosis as a series of social events 15m
3.3 Diagnosis: An example of the role of social context 17m
3.4a The social context of treatment options 12m
3.4b The social context of treatment options part 2 9m
3.5 The social context of treatment access 11m
3.6 Conclusion 3m
From summer 2014: what's with the DSM?12m
1 reading
Readings and Resources10m
1 practice exercise
Extra-credit quiz20m
Week
42 hours to complete
Culture, mental health and mental illness
8 videos (Total 76 min), 1 reading
8 videos
4.1 culture mental health mental illness 7m
4.2 culture & mental health in historical context 15m
4.3 culture and mental health 14m
4.4 culture and mental illness 11m
4.5 an example of intersections between culture and mental health 8m
4.6 cultural competence and multicultural mental health care 12m
4.7 Conclusions 2m
1 reading
Readings and Resources10m
4.6
35 Reviews50%
started a new career after completing these courses
33%
got a tangible career benefit from this course
Top Reviews
Awesome course by Professor Williams who taught us a lot about how to consider health issues under the social context to explore the interaction between health and social factors.
It was so structured and meaningfully engaging. Loved every part of it . Thank you Charmaine for bringing this course to coursera. Lots of best wishes to you.
Instructor
Charmaine Williams
Associate ProfessorFaculty of Social Work
About University of Toronto
Established in 1827, the University of Toronto is one of the world’s leading universities, renowned for its excellence in teaching, research, innovation and entrepreneurship, as well as its impact on economic prosperity and social well-being around the globe.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Once you enroll for a Certificate, you’ll have access to all videos, quizzes, and programming assignments (if applicable). Peer review assignments can only be submitted and reviewed once your session has begun. If you choose to explore the course without purchasing, you may not be able to access certain assignments.
What will I get if I purchase the Certificate?
When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
What is the refund policy?
Is financial aid available?
More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.
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