Over the last few decades, the way in which ‘mental health’ and mental health conditions / disorders are viewed has changed radically. Once upon a time, ‘mental illness’ was regarded in a very negative way and bound up with high levels of stigma. This has changed in many parts of the world and people generally have a better understanding of mental health issues. At the same time, there is a growing awareness that mental health is a broader issue that relates to everyone. For example, just because a person is free from any major physical illness, it does not mean that they are ‘physically fit’. The same idea applies to mental illness. This growing awareness has become much more acute in recent years with the advent of COVID and the various measures that have been put in place. Arguably, COVID has been responsible for one of the most widespread challenges to global mental health that we have seen in decades.
As a result, the issue of mental is perhaps more relevant now than it has ever been. Given this situation, it is more important than ever for people to gain a better understanding of mental health and mental illness and the key aim of this course is to achieve this. The first two sessions will be spent exploring the concepts of mental health and mental conditions and also looking at how such conditions are best conceptualised. This will also involve the issue of intervention / treatment. The three remaining days will then apply this knowledge onto three specific mental health areas; mood disorders, the autism spectrum and schizophrenia.
Learning outcomes
The learning outcomes for this course are:
- To gain an understanding of ‘mental health’ and ‘mental illness’.
- To appreciate the complexity involved with issues such as conceptualisation and intervention.
- To gain a better understanding how the issues detailed in outcomes 1 and 2 relate to the three conditions covered in the course.
Classes
1. Mental Health & Mental Health Conditions
2. Conceptualisation & Intervention
3. Mood Disorders
4. The Autism Spectrum
5. Schizophrenia(s)
Typical week: Monday to Friday
For each week of study you select a morning (Am) and an afternoon (Pm) course, each course has five sessions, one each day Monday to Friday. The maximum class size is 25 students. Your weekly courses are complemented by a series of two daily plenary lectures, exploring new ideas in a wide range of disciplines. To add to the learning experience, we are also planning additional evening talks and events.
| c.8.00am-9.00am |
Breakfast in College (for residents) |
| 9.00am-10.30am |
Am Course |
| 11.15am-12.30pm |
Plenary Lecture |
| 12.30pm-1.45pm |
Lunch |
| 1.45pm-3.15pm |
Pm Course |
| 4.00pm-5.15pm |
Plenary Lecture |
| c.6.00/6.15pm-7.15/7.30pm |
Dinner in College (for residents) |
| c.7.30pm onwards |
Evening talk/event |
Evaluation and Academic Credit
If you are seeking to enhance your own study experience, or earn academic credit from your Cambridge Summer Programme studies at your home institution, you can submit written work for assessment for one or more of your courses.
Essay questions are set and assessed against the University of Cambridge standard by your Course Director, a list of essay questions can be found in the Course Materials. Essays are submitted two weeks after the end of each course, so those studying for multiple weeks need to plan their time accordingly. There is an evaluation fee of £65 per essay.
For more information about writing essays see Evaluation and Academic Credit.
Certificate of attendance
A certificate of attendance will be sent to you electronically within a week of your courses finishing.
