Mental Health and Nutrition from edX

Whether you are a health professional working with people with mental health challenges; someone who struggles daily with low mood, anxiety or stress; someone who supports others who face mental health struggles, or you are simply interested in the fascinating interface between food and brain health, this course is for you!

Professor Julia Rucklidge has developed this course based on her world-leading research into the links between nutrition and mental well-being. The course will cover evidence supporting the premise that eating better, and taking additional nutrients when appropriate, can improve mental health for many people.

What foods and nutrients should you consume to improve your mental wellbeing? Join us on this evidence-based discovery!

Professor Rucklidge and other experts in psychology, toxicology, and nutrition will cover the history of using food as a treatment for mental health; the food components to consider when making dietary choices; and why we need to consider micronutrients in our food, such as minerals and vitamins, for building a better brain.

What you'll learn

Rates of mental illness have been on the rise over the last 50 years, despite advances in medication and other therapies. Scientists have been discovering that what we eat is affecting our mental health. Completing this course will help you to:

Understand how our food supply has changed
Recognise the components of food that are relevant to mental health
Discover dietary patterns that maximize nutrient density
Connect dietary choices to mental health
Examine dietary advice and what is relevant to better mental health outcomes
Implement simple ways to improve your diet
Identify individual and environmental factors that influence the supply of nutrients to the brain
Explore the recent paradigm shift of using broad spectrum micronutrients to address mental health challenges
Understand when additional nutrients may be necessary to alleviate mental health suffering

What's inside

Learning objectives

Understand how our food supply has changed
Recognise the components of food that are relevant to mental health
Discover dietary patterns that maximize nutrient density
Connect dietary choices to mental health
Examine dietary advice and what is relevant to better mental health outcomes

Implement simple ways to improve your diet
Identify individual and environmental factors that influence the supply of nutrients to the brain
Explore the recent paradigm shift of using broad spectrum micronutrients to address mental health challenges
Understand when additional nutrients may be necessary to alleviate mental health suffering

Understand how our food supply has changed
Recognise the components of food that are relevant to mental health
Discover dietary patterns that maximize nutrient density
Connect dietary choices to mental health
Examine dietary advice and what is relevant to better mental health outcomes
Implement simple ways to improve your diet
Identify individual and environmental factors that influence the supply of nutrients to the brain
Explore the recent paradigm shift of using broad spectrum micronutrients to address mental health challenges
Understand when additional nutrients may be necessary to alleviate mental health suffering

Syllabus

The course is presented in six modules:

MODULE 1: Nutrition and Mental Health: Why now? MODULE 2: Introduction to nutrients relevant to brain health. MODULE 3: Dietary patterns and mental health. MODULE 4: The factors that influence the supply of nutrients to the brain. MODULE 5: Supplementation as treatment for mental health problems: The evidence. MODULE 6: The bigger context: What can you do to build a better brain?

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Provides a solid foundation in nutritional science for learners new to its interface with mental health

Explores the evolving paradigm shift towards using broad-spectrum micronutrients to treat mental health challenges

Emphasizes the importance of dietary choices in improving mental well-being, making it relevant to individuals with dietary restrictions or preferences

Incorporates evidence-based research and practical strategies, providing a well-rounded learning experience

Offers a comprehensive exploration of the link between food and brain health, providing a holistic perspective on mental well-being

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Mental Health and Nutrition with these activities:

Review your knowledge of basic nutrition

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Refreshing your knowledge of basic nutrition can help you to better understand the connection between nutrition and mental health.

Browse courses on Nutrition

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Read an article or book about basic nutrition.
Take a quiz or test on basic nutrition.
Talk to a registered dietitian or other healthcare professional about basic nutrition.

Practice mindfulness exercises

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Practicing mindfulness exercises can help you to better manage stress and improve your overall mental well-being.

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Find a quiet place to sit or lie down.
Close your eyes and focus on your breath.
Notice the rise and fall of your chest as you breathe.

Create a meal plan that includes foods that are known to improve mental health

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Creating a meal plan that includes foods that are known to improve mental health can help you to make better choices about what you eat.

Browse courses on Nutrition

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Research foods that are known to improve mental health.
Create a meal plan that includes these foods.
Follow the meal plan for a week.

Five other activities

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Find a mentor who can help you to learn more about nutrition and mental health

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Finding a mentor who can help you to learn more about nutrition and mental health can be a great way to stay motivated and learn more.

Browse courses on Nutrition

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Identify your goals for learning more about nutrition and mental health.
Look for mentors who have experience in the area you want to learn more about.
Reach out to potential mentors and ask them if they would be willing to mentor you.

Explore the effects of different foods on your mood

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By exploring the effects of different foods on your mood, you can learn to make better choices about what you eat.

Browse courses on Nutrition

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Keep a food journal for a week.
Track your mood each day.
Look for patterns between the foods you eat and your mood.

Read "The Mood Cure" by Julia Rucklidge

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This book provides an in-depth look at the connection between nutrition and mental health.

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Purchase the book.
Read the book.
Take notes on the key points.

Attend a workshop on nutrition and mental health

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Attending a workshop on nutrition and mental health can help you to learn more about the connection between the two.

Browse courses on Nutrition

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Find a workshop that interests you.
Register for the workshop.
Attend the workshop.

Contribute to an open source project related to nutrition or mental health

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Contributing to an open source project related to nutrition or mental health can help you to learn more about the topic and make a difference.

Browse courses on Nutrition

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Find an open source project that you are interested in contributing to.
Read the project documentation and learn about the project.
Make a contribution to the project.

Career center

Learners who complete Mental Health and Nutrition will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Psychologist

Psychologists diagnose and treat mental health disorders. They work with clients to help them understand their mental health challenges and develop coping mechanisms. This course may be useful for Psychologists who want to learn more about the link between nutrition and mental health. The course can help psychologists to better understand the needs of their clients and develop more effective interventions. This knowledge can also be helpful for psychologists who work with clients who have mental health challenges that affect their ability to eat healthy.

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Psychiatrist

Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in diagnosing and treating mental health disorders. They prescribe medication and provide psychotherapy. This course may be useful for Psychiatrists who want to learn more about the link between nutrition and mental health. The course can help psychiatrists to better understand the needs of their clients and develop more effective interventions. This knowledge can also be helpful for psychiatrists who work with clients who have mental health challenges that affect their ability to eat healthy.

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Registered Dietitian

Registered Dietitians help people improve their health by providing nutrition counseling and education. They work with individuals, groups, and communities to develop and implement nutrition plans that meet their specific needs. This course may be useful for Registered Dietitians who want to learn more about the link between nutrition and mental health. The course can help dietitians to better understand the needs of their clients and develop more effective interventions. This knowledge can also be helpful for dietitians who work with clients who have mental health challenges that affect their ability to eat healthy.

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Dietetic Technician, Registered

Dietetic Technicians, Registered assist Registered Dietitians in providing nutrition services to patients. They work under the supervision of a Registered Dietitian to provide nutrition counseling, education, and support to patients. This course may be useful for Dietetic Technicians, Registered who want to learn more about the link between nutrition and mental health. The course can help dietetic technicians to better understand the needs of their clients and develop more effective interventions. This knowledge can also be helpful for dietetic technicians who work with clients who have mental health challenges that affect their ability to eat healthy.

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Social Worker

Social Workers help people overcome social and economic challenges. They work with individuals, families, and groups to provide support and resources. This course may be useful for Social Workers who want to learn more about the link between nutrition and mental health. The course can help social workers to better understand the needs of their clients and develop more effective interventions. This knowledge can also be helpful for social workers who work with clients who have mental health challenges that affect their ability to access healthy food.

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Pharmacist

Pharmacists dispense and advise patients on the use of medications. They work with doctors and other healthcare professionals to ensure that patients are taking their medications correctly and safely. This course may be useful for Pharmacists who want to learn more about the link between nutrition and mental health. The course can help pharmacists to better understand the needs of their clients and develop more effective interventions. This knowledge can also be helpful for pharmacists who work with clients who have mental health challenges that affect their ability to take their medications.

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Health Educator

Health Educators develop and implement programs to promote health and wellness. They work with individuals, groups, and communities to create and deliver educational materials and programs that address a variety of health topics, including nutrition and mental health. This course may be useful for Health Educators who want to learn more about the link between nutrition and mental health. The course can help educators to develop more effective programs that address the needs of their clients. This knowledge can also be helpful for educators who work with clients who have mental health challenges that affect their health.

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Physician Assistant

Physician Assistants provide medical care to patients under the supervision of a physician. They perform a variety of tasks, including taking medical histories, performing physical exams, and prescribing medications. This course may be useful for Physician Assistants who want to learn more about the link between nutrition and mental health. The course can help physician assistants to better understand the needs of their patients and develop more effective interventions. This knowledge can also be helpful for physician assistants who work with patients who have mental health challenges that affect their ability to access or eat healthy food.

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Nurse

Nurses provide care to patients in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities. They work with doctors and other healthcare professionals to provide medical care and support to patients. This course may be useful for Nurses who want to learn more about the link between nutrition and mental health. The course can help nurses to better understand the needs of their patients and develop more effective interventions. This knowledge can also be helpful for nurses who work with patients who have mental health challenges that affect their ability to access or eat healthy food.

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Occupational Therapist

Occupational Therapists help people with disabilities or injuries regain or improve their ability to do everyday activities. They work with clients to develop and implement rehabilitation plans. This course may be useful for Occupational Therapists who want to learn more about the link between nutrition and mental health. The course can help occupational therapists to better understand the needs of their clients and develop more effective interventions. This knowledge can also be helpful for occupational therapists who work with clients who have mental health challenges that affect their ability to participate in everyday activities.

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Speech-Language Pathologist

Speech-Language Pathologists help people with speech, language, and swallowing disorders. They work with clients to assess their needs and develop and implement treatment plans. This course may be useful for Speech-Language Pathologists who want to learn more about the link between nutrition and mental health. The course can help speech-language pathologists to better understand the needs of their clients and develop more effective interventions. This knowledge can also be helpful for speech-language pathologists who work with clients who have mental health challenges that affect their ability to communicate.

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Music Therapist

Music Therapists use music to help people with mental health challenges. They work with clients to express their emotions and experiences through music. This course may be useful for Music Therapists who want to learn more about the link between nutrition and mental health. The course can help music therapists to better understand the needs of their clients and develop more effective interventions. This knowledge can also be helpful for music therapists who work with clients who have mental health challenges that affect their ability to participate in music.

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Art Therapist

Art Therapists use art to help people with mental health challenges. They work with clients to express their emotions and experiences through art. This course may be useful for Art Therapists who want to learn more about the link between nutrition and mental health. The course can help art therapists to better understand the needs of their clients and develop more effective interventions. This knowledge can also be helpful for art therapists who work with clients who have mental health challenges that affect their ability to create art.

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Dance/Movement Therapist

Dance/Movement Therapists use dance and movement to help people with mental health challenges. They work with clients to express their emotions and experiences through dance and movement. This course may be useful for Dance/Movement Therapists who want to learn more about the link between nutrition and mental health. The course can help dance/movement therapists to better understand the needs of their clients and develop more effective interventions. This knowledge can also be helpful for dance/movement therapists who work with clients who have mental health challenges that affect their ability to participate in dance and movement.

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Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor

Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors help people with disabilities find and keep jobs. They work with clients to assess their skills and interests, develop a plan for achieving their goals, and connect them with resources. This course may be useful for Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors who want to learn more about the link between nutrition and mental health. The course can help counselors to better understand the needs of their clients and develop more effective interventions. This knowledge can also be helpful for counselors who work with clients who have mental health challenges that affect their ability to work.

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