Mental Health and Mental Illness

Catalog description

This course is designed to prepare students for working with individuals who are experiencing persistent and severe mental distress. Students will learn how to navigate and diagnose individuals using the most current DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) and understand factors related to diagnostic features, differential diagnosis, and comorbidity. Applying the social work systems perspective and biopsychosocial assessment framework, students will gain an understanding of mental well-being and illness in the context of antiracist practices. This course emphasizes the importance of promoting mental health equity with all individuals regardless of intersecting identities such as culture, class, race, ethnicity, religion, ability, and sexual orientation.