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William Eaton, PhD, Wietse A. Tol, PhD, and Ramin Mojtabai, MD

Public Mental Health is the application of the principles of medicine and social science to prevent the occurrence of mental and behavioral disorders and to promote mental health of the population. This course illustrates the principles of public health applied to depressive disorder, including principles of epidemiology, transcultural psychiatry, health services research, and prevention. It is predicted that by 2020 depressive disorder will be the most important cause of disease burden in the entire world! Every human being suffers from feeling depressed at some point or other, but only about one fifth of the population will experience an episode of depressive disorder over the course of their lives. This course illuminates the public health approach to disease, and the particular complexities of applying this approach to mental disorders, using depression as the exemplar.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Overview
Welcome to Major Depression in the Population: A Public Health Approach. Let's take a few moments to introduce the course before we dive into our first lessons.
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Explores the ways to prevent depressive disorder
Examines major depressive disorder through the lens of multiple disciplines, including medicine and social science
Instructors include William Eaton, PhD, Wietse A. Tol, PhD, Ramin Mojtabai, MD who are recognized for their work in the field of public health
Suitable for students interested in public health, epidemiology, or mental health
Provides a comprehensive overview of the principles of public health as applied to depressive disorder
Taught by three instructors who have extensive experience in public health and mental health

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Public health approach to major depression

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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 Major Depression in the Population: A Public Health Approach with these activities:
Explore the WHO website on depression
Helps students understand the global perspective on depression and its impact on public health.
Browse courses on Depression
Show steps
  • Visit the WHO website on depression
  • Read about the prevalence and burden of depression worldwide
  • Explore resources for preventing and treating depression
Epidemiology Practice Problems
Provides opportunity to solve and review problems related to epidemiology to deepen understanding.
Browse courses on Epidemiology
Show steps
  • Solve a case control study problem
  • Solve a cohort study problem
  • Solve a study of diseases in time and space problem
Show all two activities

Career center

Learners who complete Major Depression in the Population: A Public Health Approach will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Psychologist
Psychologists assess, diagnose, and treat mental health disorders, including depression. A course on depression could be highly beneficial for this career, as it can provide a comprehensive understanding of the disorder and its treatment options. The course may also offer insights into the latest research and evidence-based practices in the field of depression.
Mental Health Counselor
Mental Health Counselors provide therapeutic services to individuals with mental health issues. A course on depression could be highly beneficial for this career, as it can enhance understanding of the symptoms, causes, and treatment options for depression. The course may also provide insights into the challenges and ethical considerations in working with individuals experiencing depression.
Research Scientist
Research Scientists conduct scientific research to advance knowledge in various fields. A course on depression could be valuable for this career, especially for those interested in mental health research. The course can provide a foundation in depression research methods and an understanding of the current state of knowledge in the field.
Epidemiologist
Epidemiologists investigate the causes and patterns of health and disease in populations. A course on depression could be valuable for this career, as it can provide a foundation in understanding the epidemiology of mental health disorders. The course may also help develop skills in data analysis and interpretation, which are essential for epidemiologists.
Addiction Counselor
Addiction Counselors provide support and counseling to individuals struggling with addiction. Knowledge of mental health disorders, including depression, can be valuable for understanding the underlying causes of addiction and developing effective treatment plans. The course can help build a foundation for understanding the complexities of addiction and the role of mental health in recovery.
Policy Analyst
Policy Analysts research and analyze public policies and programs. A course on depression could be valuable for this career, as it can provide insights into the policy landscape surrounding mental health and the challenges and opportunities for improving mental health outcomes. The course may also enhance skills in policy analysis and evaluation.
Statistician
Statisticians collect, analyze, and interpret data to provide insights and make predictions. A course on depression could be valuable for this career, as it can provide a foundation in statistical methods and their application in mental health research. The course may also enhance skills in data modeling and forecasting, which are important for statisticians working in the field of mental health.
Health Economist
Health Economists analyze the economic aspects of healthcare systems and policies. A course on depression could be useful for this career, as it can provide insights into the economic burden of depression and the cost-effectiveness of different treatments and interventions. The course may also help develop skills in economic modeling and evaluation, which are essential for health economists.
Social Worker
Social Workers assist individuals and families in coping with social, emotional, and mental health challenges. A course on depression could be valuable for this career, as it can provide a deeper understanding of the impact of depression on individuals and their families. The course may also help build skills in providing support and resources to those affected by depression.
Data Analyst
Data Analysts collect, analyze, and interpret data to solve problems and make informed decisions. A course on depression could be useful for this career, as it can provide skills in data analysis and interpretation, which are essential for working with health-related data. The course may also provide insights into the challenges and ethical considerations in handling sensitive health data.
Public Health Nurse
Public Health Nurses promote the health and well-being of communities. A course on depression could be valuable for this career, as it can provide insights into the public health approach to mental health and the role of nurses in promoting mental health and preventing depression.
Nonprofit Program Manager
Nonprofit Program Managers plan, implement, and evaluate programs that address social issues. A course on depression could be valuable for this career, as it can provide a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by individuals with depression and the role of nonprofit organizations in providing support and services. The course may also help develop skills in program planning, evaluation, and resource management.
Health Educator
Health Educators promote health and wellness through education and outreach programs. A course on depression could be useful for this career, as it can provide a deeper understanding of the causes and consequences of depression. The course may also help develop skills in designing and delivering effective health education programs related to mental health.
Healthcare Administrator
Healthcare Administrators plan, organize, and manage healthcare delivery systems. A course on depression could be useful for this career, as it can provide a broader understanding of the mental health landscape and the challenges faced by healthcare systems in addressing mental health needs. The course may also help develop skills in healthcare management and resource allocation.
Psychiatric Nurse
Psychiatric Nurses assess, diagnose, and treat patients with mental health issues. A course on depression may be useful for a job of this nature, as it can contribute to knowledge of mental health disorders and the challenges faced by patients with depression. Understanding effective treatment approaches could also be helpful for optimizing care.

Reading list

We've selected nine books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Major Depression in the Population: A Public Health Approach.
Provides evidence-based guidelines for the treatment of psychiatric disorders, including depression.
Provides self-help strategies for people with depression.
Provides cognitive-behavioral therapy strategies for overcoming depression.

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