HLTH10255 - Mental Health in Society

Course Description

This course focuses on a multi-disciplinary examination of the ways in which mental health and addiction is viewed by society and how these perceptions influence society’s response to the practical and socio-political aspects of mental illness. Students will examine personal attitudes, societal myths, and stereotypes related to mental illness and addiction. Students will be challenged to critically reflect upon how their personal orientations and resulting behaviours regarding mental illness, addiction, and wellness impact those who are experience them impact cultural, societal and political beliefs. Drawing on literature, arts, politics, media, medicine, and the social sciences, students will critically examine mental illness and addiction as a social construct and contrast and compare assumptions of agency, normalcy, treatment, and recovery. Finally, students will explore ways that those affected by mental illness and addiction construct and assess themselves.