The Social Context of Mental Health and Illness

The Social Context of Mental Health and Illness

Instructor: Charmaine Williams

Access provided by Martin Luther Christian University

60,710 already enrolled

6 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

598 reviews

2 weeks to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

98%

Most learners liked this course

6 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

598 reviews

2 weeks to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

98%

Most learners liked this course

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

1 assignment¹

AI Graded see disclaimer

Taught in English

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Learn more about Coursera for Business

logos of Petrobras, TATA, Danone, Capgemini, P&G and L'Oreal

There are 6 modules in this course

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.

We begin with a quick orientation to the course and continue with our first lecture topic: A brief history of madness.

What's included

11 videos2 readings1 peer review1 discussion prompt

11 videosTotal 120 minutes

Welcome to the course!3 minutes
1.0 Introduction 8 minutes
1.1 Visiting the asylum 9 minutes
1.2 Why the asylum? 20 minutes
1.3 20th century mental health care 14 minutes
1.4 Antipsychiatry 12 minutes
1.5 Deinstitutionalization 16 minutes
1.6 Community-based mental health care 16 minutes
1.7 Recovery and mental health 11 minutes
1.8 Conclusion 5 minutes
Bonus material: An introduction to author Caroline Fei-Yeng Kwok 7 minutes

2 readingsTotal 20 minutes

Course Information10 minutes
Readings and Resources10 minutes

1 peer reviewTotal 60 minutes

Commentary60 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

Introductions10 minutes

What's included

8 videos1 reading1 discussion prompt

8 videosTotal 77 minutes

2.0 introduction to lecture 2 3 minutes
2.1 defining mental health 7 minutes
2.2 what is mental illness? 12 minutes
2.3 social determinants of mental health 10 minutes
2.4 SDoH in action 14 minutes
2.5 the biopsychosocial perspective on mental health 14 minutes
2.6 applying the biopsychosocial perspective 12 minutes
2.7 Conclusion 4 minutes

1 readingTotal 10 minutes

Readings and Resources10 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

Key social determinants of mental health in your local community10 minutes

What's included

9 videos1 reading1 assignment1 peer review2 discussion prompts

9 videosTotal 105 minutes

3.0 Introduction to lecture 3 8 minutes
3.1 Demystifying the DSM 15 minutes
3.2 Diagnosis as a series of social events 15 minutes
3.3 Diagnosis: An example of the role of social context 17 minutes
3.4a The social context of treatment options 12 minutes
3.4b The social context of treatment options part 2 9 minutes
3.5 The social context of treatment access 12 minutes
3.6 Conclusion 3 minutes
From summer 2014: what's with the DSM?13 minutes

1 readingTotal 10 minutes

Readings and Resources10 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Extra-credit quiz30 minutes

1 peer reviewTotal 60 minutes

Personal Reflection60 minutes

2 discussion promptsTotal 20 minutes

Psychiatric Diagnoses and Genera Medical Diagnoses10 minutes
Involuntary treatment10 minutes

What's included

8 videos1 reading1 discussion prompt

8 videosTotal 76 minutes

4.0 introduction to lecture 4 4 minutes
4.1 culture mental health mental illness 8 minutes
4.2 culture & mental health in historical context 15 minutes
4.3 culture and mental health 14 minutes
4.4 culture and mental illness 12 minutes
4.5 an example of intersections between culture and mental health 8 minutes
4.6 cultural competence and multicultural mental health care 12 minutes
4.7 Conclusions 3 minutes

1 readingTotal 10 minutes

Readings and Resources10 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

Mental Illness Experience and Perspectives10 minutes

What's included

6 videos1 reading1 discussion prompt

6 videosTotal 53 minutes

5.0 introduction to lecture 5 5 minutes
5.1 families and mental health 8 minutes
5.2 do families cause mental illness - no 16 minutes
5.3 families and caregiving 16 minutes
5.4 families and recovery 5 minutes
5.5 conclusions 2 minutes

1 readingTotal 10 minutes

Readings and Resources10 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

Family Guide to Mental Health Recovery interviews10 minutes

What's included

7 videos1 reading1 peer review1 discussion prompt

7 videosTotal 73 minutes

6.0 introduction to lecture 6 5 minutes
6.1 stigma and mental illness 18 minutes
6.2a a life course approach to preventing mental disorders part 1 11 minutes
6.2b a life course approach to preventing mental disorders part 2 8 minutes
6.3 interventions to promote community mental health 12 minutes
6.4 towards community that support mental health 14 minutes
6.5 conclusions 4 minutes

1 readingTotal 10 minutes

Readings and Resources10 minutes

1 peer reviewTotal 120 minutes

Final Assignment120 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

Investing in Mental Health10 minutes

Instructor

Instructor ratings

(234 ratings)

Charmaine Williams

University of Toronto

1 Course60,710 learners

Offered by

University of Toronto

Why people choose Coursera for their career

Felipe M.

Learner since 2018

"To be able to take courses at my own pace and rhythm has been an amazing experience. I can learn whenever it fits my schedule and mood."

Jennifer J.

Learner since 2020

"I directly applied the concepts and skills I learned from my courses to an exciting new project at work."

Larry W.

Learner since 2021

"When I need courses on topics that my university doesn't offer, Coursera is one of the best places to go."

Chaitanya A.

"Learning isn't just about being better at your job: it's so much more than that. Coursera allows me to learn without limits."

Learner reviews

5 stars
79.26%
4 stars
14.54%
3 stars
2.67%
2 stars
1.67%
1 star
1.83%

Showing 3 of 598

Reviewed on May 22, 2017

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.

Reviewed on Jun 4, 2021

Excellent overview of historical and current status of mental health and illness. Also offers practical suggestions to encourage mental health and to support mentally ill.

Reviewed on Aug 13, 2023

I am amazed and overwhelmed after completing this course because it will help me to reach my destination. This excellent course has been designed with utmost sincerity and care.

View more reviews