VPSY6010 The Human Being, Mental Suffering and the Social Environment Course description

Language of instruction: Norwegian

The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the framework conditions, theory and research in mental health care.

Research, treatment, care and preventive work with people with mental health conditions requires an interdisciplinary understanding and approach. The course discusses basic concepts such as mental health, mental health complaints, substance abuse and dependency problems related to mental health care. It has an emphasis on a biopsychosocial model for individually-adapted prevention and care across disciplines and different mental health complaints, substance abuse and dependency problems. Ethical aspects and the relationship between mental health care workers and users/patients will be thematised throughout the course.

Master's Degree Programme in Health Sciences - specialisation in Mental Healthcare

and Advanced Programme in Mental Health Care is carried out jointly.

Admission to the programme.

After completing the course, the student should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student

• can discuss theories, models and methods used in mental health care practice 
• can assess the purpose of and challenges relating to classification and diagnosis systems for mental health complaints 
• can identify key vulnerability and risk factors relating to mental health problems from a biopsychosocial perspective
• can describe and assess the development of mental healthcare services for users, patients and next of kin
• can critically assess the individual’s right to autonomy and user participation, and is familiar with important ethical problems and considerations in the development of equitable health services
• can assess the overarching conditions that are significant to improvement processes in mental health care

Skills

The student

• can disseminate core theoretical and research-based knowledge in the field in writing and orally
• can participate in academic and health and social policy discussions that promote knowledge about the field of mental health, and can communicate the user/patient's perspective
• can critically assess health and social policy, and legal and financial framework conditions for working in mental health care
• can analyse empirical data, theory and research that deal with development, vulnerability, protection and consequences of mental health complaints
• can demonstrate thorough professional insight and understanding of individual users/patients, families and networks
• can analyse their own profession’s contribution to interdisciplinary cooperation at various levels and can apply this knowledge in the coordination of user-oriented services
• can apply academic literature and research in their own development project

General competence

The student

• can integrate the UN Sustainable Development Goals on good health and well-being, and less inequality in ethical and professional problems related to mental health and mental health complaints, including substance abuse and dependency problems
• can analyse the relationship between the individual, service and societal levels when planning mental health care
• can reflect and contribute to discussions based on professional and research knowledge, user knowledge and experiential knowledge
• can disseminate relevant problems, analyses and research results in a way that meets research ethics requirements

The course will use varied, student-active work methods. It includes e-learning modules, study groups, lectures, seminars and self-study. Compulsory lectures covering the syllabus are used to present subject matter, with discussions and written coursework requirements.

The following must have been approved in order for the student to take the examination:

• Participation in compulsory activities, 80% participation in study groups and seminars.
• A written assignment carried out individually or in groups. Scope of 2,500 words (+/- 20%).
• Completed e-learning module

Project examination in the form of an individual written assignment with a scope of 4,000 words (+/- 20%).

Resit examination: If the student is awarded the grade F (fails the written assignment), he/she will be given one (1) opportunity to submit a reworked version.

All aids are permitted, as long as the rules for source referencing are complied with.

Grade scale A-F.

All examination papers are assessed by two examiners. At least 20% of the examination papers will be assessed by an external examiner. The external examiner’s assessment should benefit all students.

The course overlaps 100% with MAPSD4010, VPSY6010 and VPSYD6010.