Sociology of Mental Health

Catalog description

This course examines mental health using theories from the sociology of health and medicine. We will analyze mental health through various perspectives: as a societal problem, a health outcome related to social inequality, a social construction, and a site of political struggle. We will first see how the concept came to be, including the medical discourse that gave rise to increased awareness and examination. Using theories of medicalization, we will see why it only became an important concept in recent human history. We will then move towards understanding how mental health is a societal problem- both in terms of increased mental health problems across populations and how this implicates our social structure. Finally, we will examine the political dimensions of mental health: how mental health is part of a shared language in medical discourse, but also in traditions that examine human rights, well-being, and social justice. Satiafies Sociology major requirement. Satisfied Public Health minor requirement. Satisfies Social-Scientific Thought requirement. Satisfies Justice, Equality, and Community requirement.