PUBPOL 3320

Mental Health Care Delivery and Policy

Course Description

Course information provided by the 2025-2026 Catalog.

Mental illnesses are common in the United States. More than 1 in 5 adults (greater than 50 million people) live with a mental health illness and 1 in 5 youth (ages 13-18) will have experienced a seriously debilitating mental illness in their lifetime. Yet, less than half of those who need treatment receive it: Depression is the leading cause of disability, suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among youth aged 10-14, and unmet mental health needs have profound long-term consequences including reductions in overall health and quality of life; substance use and addiction; family disruption; criminal justice system involvement; homelessness; unemployment and productivity losses; and early preventable mortality. This course provides an overview of the state of mental health in the United States with a focus on the drivers of mental well-being, mental illness, and mental health inequities. We will examine how mental health practice and policy can improve (or impede) community mental well-being, quality of mental health care, and mental health outcomes for those experiencing mental illness. Intentional focus will be given to topics such as stigma, historical trauma, and racism in addition to the importance of culturally intentional and patient-centered evidence-based care in order to collectively envision healthier and more equitable futures.

Prerequisites Recommended prerequisite: PUBPOL 2350 and/or PUBPOL 3280.

Last 4 Terms Offered 2024FA

Learning Outcomes

• Define mental health and poor mental health including mental illness and disability.
• Describe the overall burden of mental illness in the US and its drivers, consequences, evidence-based treatment best practices, and historical and contemporary mental health policy.
• Working in pairs or trios, demonstrate the competencies described in #2 by co-authoring a 4-stage research project, including a 5-minute lightning talk, for an instructor-approved mental health issue and population of their choosing.
• Use Photovoice as a personal lens for critical reflection on historical and contemporary mental health structures and inequities to envision mentally healthier futures for all.
• Consider different perspectives and demonstrate multicultural competence and inclusive communication while working in diverse groups in class.

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