Family, Societal and Cultural Influences on Children’s Mental Wellbeing

The World Health Organization (WHO, 2011) states that 23 years are lost world wide to mental health disorders, that 10% of children and young people have a diagnosed mental health condition, and that around 50% of mental health problems develop before the age of 14.

The need to understand children holistically, taking into account cultural beliefs, values and attitudes, and social context, is gaining importance due to the complexity of mental health problems and the increased need for services for different ethnic groups and for children whose lives have changed due to civil unrest.

This module will address a number of issues related to child and adolescent mental wellbeing and society, including health promotion. We'll explore the way in which mental illness is portrayed through the media and the impact this can have on interpretations of mental health and mental illness within a given society. This includes examining how mental health is represented in the news, on social media and global technology; sexuality will also be explored. We'll also examine the delivery of culturally appropriate health care, and how the knowledge gained can be applied to current or future practice.

Outline content

• Culture and mental health
• Religion and mental health
• Changing nature of children’s mental health problems
• Gender, ethnicity and age
• Societal change and impact on mental health
• Representation of mental health in the media
• Impact of global technology and social media
• Mental health promotion from infancy to adolescence
• International perspectives of children’s mental health care

How you’ll learn

The module is delivered in a blended approach, with a mix of face-to-face teaching sessions at ARU in Chelmsford and online learning. You'll be expected to attend all taught sessions.

Assessment

You'll be assessed on a 20-minute presentation and supporting 1,000-word commentary.

Other study options

You can take this module as part of our MSc Child and Adolescent Mental Wellbeing degree.