POPLHLTH 736 : Mental Health Promotion

Medical and Health Sciences

2024 Semester Two (1245) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Examines the central role that positive mental health and well-being plays in the health of populations. It focuses on understanding the determinants of mental health and the processes by which these determinants affect mental health. The theory and application of mental health promotion practice, encompassing strategies for action at the societal, community and individual level, are discussed.

Course Overview

This is a required course for the Master of Health Practice (Population Mental Health) specialisation, and an optional course in a number of Faculty of Medical and Health Science programmes including the Diploma/Masters of Health Sciences as well as Public Health. It can also be taken as a one-off course by those interested in the subject under the Certificate of Proficiency programme.
The course is also optional for the Bachelor Health Sciences (Honours) programme.

This course will be offered in the second semester and the formal teaching will be conducted over four separate days.
The four days cover the following topics: 
Day 1: Overview and Theories for Mental Health Promotion 
Day 2:  Domains of Mental Health Promotion Action: Research, Creative and Effective Practice and Policy & public participation
Day 3: Student group teaching sessions and other discussion related to Elimination of Discrimination and Promotion of Social Inclusion
Day 4: Student group teaching sessions and other discussion related to Prevention of Violence and  Access to economic resources

For each teaching day, there is a set of recommended readings, which are provided. 
Additionally, the reading list provides a starting point for the mental health determinants that are the subject of the student group teaching sessions. 
There will also be further input from the teacher emphasising mental health promotion application and examples, and practical tools that can support mental health promotion practice. 

Course Requirements

No pre-requisites or restrictions

Course Contacts

Course Coordinator
Associate Professor Janet Fanslow 
Email: j.fanslow@auckland.ac.nz
Phone: +64 (0) 9 923 6907

Course Administrator
Ms Upendra Wickramarachchi 
Group Services Administrator
Email: u.wicks@auckland.ac.nz
Phone: +64 9 923 3058 or Ext 3058

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Capability 6: Communication
Capability 7: Collaboration
Graduate Profile: Master of Health Sciences

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Understand and apply the aim, theories and practice of Mental Health Promotion (Capability 3.1, 3.2 and 3.3)
  2. Understand and describe how to apply MHP principles at different levels of intervention and in different sectors and settings for action. (Capability 5.1 and 6.1)
  3. Understand and critically evaluate the processes by which four key determinants (discrimination, violence, social inclusion, access to economic resources) affect mental health (Capability 4.1 and 5.1)
  4. Demonstrate an understanding of tools and strategies that can enhance Mental Health Promotion practice. (Capability 6.1 and 7.1)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Presentation (Student Group Teaching) 20% Group Coursework
Literature Review 30% Individual Coursework
Case Studies 45% Individual Coursework
Reflection 5% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4
Presentation (Student Group Teaching)
Literature Review
Case Studies
Reflection

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 6-10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 32 hours of lectures, and the rest of the time will be spent on reading, thinking about the content and working on assignments.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected at scheduled activities including  to complete components of the course.
Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including group work will not be available as recordings.
The course will not include live online events.
The activities for the course are scheduled as block delivery.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

The required readings for this course are provided on CANVAS, which is our online Student Learning Management system. Library and computer facilities with internet are available to students. Support in developing internet skills and library usage is included in the orientation package. The power point presentations for the lectures will be put up on CANVAS.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Canvas discussion pages will be used to supplement the Zoom tutorials already offered. 

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

The delivery mode may change depending on COVID restrictions. Any changes will be communicated through Canvas.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.