Sociology of Mental Health

Catalog description

The escalating rates of depression and anxiety in the US, with 1 in 4 adults facing a diagnosable mental health disorder, demand a deeper understanding of their underlying causes. Emphasizing the biopsychosocial model, which considers the interplay of biological, psychological, and social factors in mental health, students will explore recent research on the social causes of depression and anxiety. This exploration will include evidence-based practices that can improve mental health outcomes for both individuals and society. To gain further insight into the role of the social environment on mental health, students will learn how to conduct population-level research on ways the disease burden of mental illness may be reduced. Students will obtain practical knowledge regarding the social causes of mental illness, and social strategies that can that improve mental health outcomes, that will aid them professionally, in their homes, the Church, and communities.