Course Objectives

Students will gain the following knowledge, skills and competencies; in particular they will:

• Have gained knowledge of different mental health perspectives;
• Have gained knowledge of various psychological problems among children and adolescents;
• Be able to explain and discuss various preventative and health-promoting approaches in relation to children and young people with mental disorders; and
• Be able to discuss the relationship between aspects of society and mental health.

Course Description

The course is aimed specifically at the relationship between society and children’s and adolescents’ mental health. Students will acquire knowledge of different mental health perspectives. They will also develop knowledge of risks and protective factors associated with mental illness. Themes such as anxiety, depression, insomnia, anorexia, bulimia, self harm, circumcision, sexuality and obesity will be discussed. Migration and mental health will also be addressed. Students will develop an understanding and gain knowledge of various preventative and / or health-promoting approaches in working with children and young people’s mental health.

The course includes the following topics:
• Children’s and adolescents’ mental health
• Children’s and adolescents’ body image
• Preventative / health-promoting approaches to child and adolescent mental health

Learning Methods

Students may choose either 981-E2A or 981-E2B.
If there are too few applicants for one of the above options, only one of them may be offered.

Teaching and learning methods:

The course includes different learning contexts and learning methods, which will enhance students’ learning and create an active learning environment. The course includes lectures, discussions, seminars, discussion groups, and feedback on assignments, student presentations and individual work. The workload in this course corresponds to that of a full-time course of studies. All the seminars in the course are required, as well as the assignments that are outlined in the course plan. Students must meet the attendance requirement of at least 75% of the obligatory seminars, and all assignments must be approved before students will be allowed to sit the final examination. The seminars and assignments are required, to ensure that students will be able to develop the necessary skills as a foundation for studying the Master’s degree courses and writing a Master’s thesis.

Assessment Methods

Course code: 981-E2B: Children’s and Adolescents’ Mental Health
5 hour individual examination.
No examination aids allowed.
Grades A-F.
The grade for the course will be entered on the student’s diploma.

Minor adjustments may occur during the academic year, subject to the decision of the Dean