Mental Health Across the Lifespan

Course Code: BHSC 2504

Academic Year: 2024-2025

This course is an introduction to mental health diagnoses outlined in the DSM-V, their importance at different developmental stages, and how they are viewed by different cultural and ethnic groups. It covers the history of how work with individuals with psychiatric disabilities has changed, including the shift from a strictly biomedical to a Recovery/Empowerment approach. It includes new information from the fields of neuropsychology and positive psychology that explains why some interventions such as cognitive behavioural and interpersonal therapy, mindfulness, the building of community support systems, and a focus on spirituality and creative endeavours in art, music, and writing are helpful. Course participants are encouraged to think critically about mental health diagnoses and treatments and consider what alternatives to conventional treatment exist that are evidence-based.