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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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What is Major Depression and Why Is It Important? The Burden of Depressive Disorder in the Population
This week, we will be focusing on the definition of major depression and the methods that we use for measuring its effect on populations.
Depression in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Closer Look at Maternal Depression
This week we will be covering depression from a global public health perspective.
Basic Concepts of Epidemiology as Applied to Depression
This week we take advantage of what we know about major depressive disorder to examine major epidemiologic research designs, including the case control design, the cohort design, and the study of diseases in time and space.
The Search for Etiologic Clues
This week the focus is on possible causes for depressive disorder, including inheritance, stress, social life, work life, and the evolution of modern living.
The Search for Etiologic Clues: Lesson Choices
Choice 1: You are the coordinator of an international nutrition program in refugee camps, including a refugee camp in Tanzania. Most of the refugees in this camp have fled violence from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the size of the camp is increasing because of the intensification of armed violence there. The nutrition organization that you have been working for has been implementing programs to promote breastfeeding, and appropriate infant and young child feeding practices. You have been told that program staff are facing difficulties, and you decide to visit the site to see for yourself what is going on. In your meeting with some of the community health workers who are implementing the program, you hear of women living in very challenging circumstances. A group of women seems to be very tired and have lost the energy to engage with daily routines. You suspect that mental health may play a role, and decide to ask further questions and write a report about this to your organization’s headquarters. | Choice 2: A young entrepreneur from Oklahoma named Rodney Johnson created a household cleaning product made from byproducts of the corn industry. This product, called Solvit, is very good at cleaning up grease and dirt, and was more effective than many other well-known products such as Mr. Clean, Fantastik, and Lysol. Mr. Johnson started marketing the product in 1992 at stores in his native Oklahoma, and also on the World Wide Web. Twenty years later this product is the most widely used cleaning agent in North America, although it still has not been introduced in several states. In 2012 Consumer Reports magazine determined that the product contained solvents that might cause depressive disorder. It asked the Consumer Products Safety Commission to ban the product. The Institute of Medicine was asked for its advice. The IOM learned that you had taken this course and has asked you to consult on epidemiologic evidence and methods that might support the claim that Solvit produces depressive disorder.
Unmet Need for Care, Barriers, and Programs to Improve Access
In this module, we discuss unmet need for treatment and treatment seeking and present a public health view of depression treatment.
Final Assignment

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, 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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Reviews summary

Depression: a public health crisis

According to students, Major Depression in the Population provides an excellent examination of depression using a public health approach. Learners say the course sheds light on the global burden of depression and offers tools to measure the burden and help others. Students say the course is educational, but the exams are difficult. Many students found the assignments to be technically challenging but also fun and helpful. Overall, students say the instructors are excellent, the material is well-crafted, and the course is a great platform for learning.
Students rave about the course instructors.
"I really enjoyed this class, and found it helpful to consider depression from some unique perspectives, none of which I'd given a lot of previous thought to."
"Great course, but watch out: the assignments are peer-reviewed by other coursera users and it turns out that half of them is capable of reviewing and writing own assignments properly, and some just give you zero points for the assignment and don't even care to leave a comment or hint what they didn't like - so I assume these are some kind of coursera trolls who mess with other's grades."
"I know this review is supposed to comment on the course itself, that's why I gave 5 stars, though the experience was disappointing in the end."
Students report that the peer-grading system for assignments can be a problem.
"Great course, but watch out: the assignments are peer-reviewed by other coursera users and it turns out that half of them is capable of reviewing and writing own assignments properly, and some just give you zero points for the assignment and don't even care to leave a comment or hint what they didn't like - so I assume these are some kind of coursera trolls who mess with other's grades."
"I know this review is supposed to comment on the course itself, that's why I gave 5 stars, though the experience was disappointing in the end."
Some students found the assignments to be too difficult.
"This course, by Bill, Ramin and Wietse, is an excellent course with very nicely organised topics."
"However, the assignments are really difficult as it requires program making for community projects on mental health treatment."
"I waited over four weeks for the last grade."
Students consistently mention that the exams are difficult.
"This course, by Bill, Ramin and Wietse, is an excellent course with very nicely organised topics."
"However, the assignments are really difficult as it requires program making for community projects on mental health treatment."
"I waited over four weeks for the last grade."

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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