We begin this module by surveying ‘mental health’ within the 21^st Century. This will include a review of definitions, diagnostics and policy; a look at who the key stake holder and professionals are; and an examination of the epidemiology of (inequalities in) mental health;   From here, the module moves to examine sociological work on ‘mental health’.  This includes sessions on sociological debates surrounding definitions and concepts used, sociological explanations of mental health/illness/disorder, and sociological critiques of the ways in which mental health is ‘organized’ and responded to within late modern societies. 

• To introduce students to the ways in which mental  health/illness/disorder are defined within contemporary society

   

• To introduce students to epidemiological data on inequalities in mental health

   

• To offer a thorough discussion of sociological literature on the contested nature of definitions, concepts and measurement

   

• To offer a thorough discussion of sociological explanations of mental health/illness/disorder and critiques of how mental health is organized and responded to within late modern societies

At the end of this module, students will:

• Have a thorough understanding of mental health care policy and practice

   

• Have a thorough understanding of epidemiological work on inequalities in mental health

   

• Be able to draw upon sociological writings on concepts and definitions used in mental health practice to critique current policy and research

   

• Be able to use sociological discussions of explanations of mental health/illness and the ways in which mental health is ‘organized’ to engage with current policy and practice

• Mental health policy

   

• Stakeholders and key professionals

   

• Epidemiological measured inequalities in mental health

   

• Sociological debates surrounding concepts, definitions

   

• Sociological explanations of mental illness/disorder

   

• Sociological discussions of how mental health practices are organized within ‘late modern’ societies

   

• Future directions in the ‘genetic’ age

11 x 2 hour sessions comprising a lecture and interactive discussions and exercises

Weekly reading and seminar preparation

Busfield, J. (1988) Mental illness as social product or social construct: a contradiction in feminists' arguments? Sociology of Health and Illness, 10,

Busfield, J (2000) Introduction: rethinking the sociology of mental health, Sociology of Health and Illness 22(5)

Brown, G. and Harris, T. (1978) Social Origins of Depression. London: Tavistock.

Foucault, M. (1967) Madness and Civilisation. London: Tavistock.

Goffman, E. (1961) Asylums. Harmondsworth: Penguin.

Rogers, A, and Pilgram, D. (1996) Mental health policy in Britain, Macmillan

Rogers A, and Pilgrim, D. (2003). Mental Health and Inequality. Palgrave Macmillan.

Rogers A, and Pilgrim D. (2005) A Sociology of Mental Health and Illness - 3rd Edition. Open University Press.

Scheff, T.J. (1999 [1967]) Being Mentally Ill: a Sociological Theory. 3rd Edition. New York: de Gruyter.

Smith, D. (1978) `K is mentally ill': the anatomy of a factual account, Sociology, 12, 23.