Occupational Mental Health

• Credit value: 15 credits at Level 6
• Convenor and tutor: Dr Caroline Kamau-Mitchell
• Assessment: a two-hour examination (100%)

In this module we discuss the symptoms and criteria for diagnosis of many mental disorders. You will learn about the prevalence or risks of mental disorders and the implications for organisations and the economy, and about methodological issues relevant to quantifying prevalence, risk and other factors in mental health research.

Together we will reflect on predisposing, precipitating, protective and perpetuating factors connecting psychopathology and work, and consider design interventions that can help workplaces protect employees’ mental health.

Indicative syllabus

• History of Diagnostic and Statistical Manuals (DSM) of mental disorders and DSM case conceptualisation
• Field trip to the Freud museum (self-guided)
• Symptoms and criteria for diagnosis of:
• mood and anxiety disorders
• eating disorders
• personality disorders
• substance-related disorders
• psychotic disorders
• Work experience (self-guided)

By the end of this module, you will be familiar with:

• the historical roots of psychopathology as a field
• the history of Diagnostic and Statistical Manuals (DSM) of mental disorders and understand case conceptualisation
• symptoms and criteria for diagnosis of many mental disorders
• the prevalence or risks of mental disorders and the implications for organisations and the economy
• methodological issues relevant to quantifying prevalence, risk and other factors in mental health research
• predisposing, precipitating, protective and perpetuating factors connecting psychopathology and work
• design of interventions that can help workplaces protect employees’ mental health.