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This double module will develop students’ understanding of the nature and characteristics of major mental health problems and of the principles and practicalities of their treatment. It is intended to bring students without substantial clinical experience to the starting point assumed by our “Current research” modules, and to provide a strong foundation for people to enter clinical and clinical research roles for the first time. It should also be good preparation for applications for further training.
Students who do not have a minimum of six months full time equivalent experience in a clinical mental health setting will be required to take this module. Others who do not have a professional qualification may choose to do so if they wish, but it is not appropriate for qualified mental health professionals.
So as to introduce students to a range of perspectives on mental health, teachers on the course include service users, carers and clinicians from several professions. Teaching is on 8 full days early in the course. There is also be a substantial online element, including videos, additional reading and interactive exercises: students are expected to spend substantial time on this online work between sessions.
Module contents
On 8 successive full days and the accompanying online materials, the course will cover:
- Dementia
- Depression and anxiety
- Psychosis and bipolar disorder
- Intellectual disability and neurodevelopmental disorders (including autism)
- Other major mental health problems, including personality disorders, eating disorders and drug and alcohol problems
- Mental health in context, including service delivery models and issues of difference and diversity
- An introduction to the main psychological models used in treating mental health disorders
Students will learn both about the main characteristics of major mental health problems and the treatments that are offered, and about the lived experiences and self-management strategies of people who have mental health problems and their families and friends. There is a particular focus on introducing students to different modalities of psychological treatment, including classical CBT, brief therapies and stepped care, third wave therapies such as mindfulness-based CBT, psychodynamic psychotherapy, and family therapy.
Learning outcomes
These are the intended learning outcomes for the module:
- Students will be able to describe the main characteristics of psychosis and bipolar disorder, depression and anxiety, intellectual disabilities and other neurodevelopmental disorders and dementia. Students will be able to comment on case histories, identifying the difficulties people may be experiencing and potential ways these might be addressed.
- Students will develop a basic understanding of the main approaches to managing mental health problems, including the main psychological, social and physical approaches.
- Students will be able to comment on case histories regarding challenges encountered in engaging service users and approaches to maintaining effective therapeutic relationships with them.
- Students will be familiar with the main trends in organisation of UK mental health services, and with key ethical and legal principles on which services are based.
- Students will be able to discuss the main day to day challenges that people with mental health problems living in the community may be encountering.
Module Leaders
Dr Jo Billings (j.billings@ucl.ac.uk)
Jo Billings is a Senior Clinical Lecturer in the Division of Psychiatry. She works part
time at UCL (Wednesdays and Fridays) and part-time as a Clinical Psychologist. Jo
has particular interests in PTSD, trauma, adjustment and resilience. She has also
conducted research on the mental health and well-being of staff and high risk
occupational groups, as well as evaluating psychological treatments for PTSD and
psychosis. Jo oversees the clinical work experience placements for our students and
our mental health careers series of workshops.