Global Mental Health Project Jamaica

Course goals

At the end of this course, students can

1. Reflect on how culture shapes aetiology for mental health course, treatment and prognosis
2. Reflect on the interdisciplinary nature of health and illness
3. Talk with people from different cultures about mental health
4. Articulate varying explanatory models of mental health

Assessment for the Global Mental Health Project Jamaica is done on a pass/fail basis. It  is based on the following components:

• Participation in weekly reading and reflection seminars (15%) (Aims 1, 2, 3, 4)
• Reflective research assignment (15%) (Aims 1, 2, 4)
• Two presentations (30%) (Aims 1, 3, 4)
• Engagement in field activities during field trip week (40%) (Aims 2, 3, 4)

Content

Global Mental Health as a field seeks to include psychology, medicine, anthropology, public health and political science to find culturally sensitive ways to treat mental illness. This course includes a 10-day field trip to Jamaica to provide the opportunity to study mental health in a global context, and there are limited places available in the course.

Instructional format
The course carries 2,5 ECTS, which amounts to a workload of 70 hours. UCACCINT2B is a Pass/Fail course. 
In preparation for the field trip, weekly meetings are held in September and October to discuss global mental health and the socio-cultural background of Jamaica. Students also develop an activity, research, or specific pursuit that they will carry out while in the field. Students travel to Jamaica during the UCU fall break week. After returning, students give a presentation to the University College community and conduct final reflections. 

Application and costs
Participants pay costs for their travel to Jamaica and incidentals during the field trip.
More information is available on the project web page, including information about application and costs of the field trip.