#talkmentalillness from Coursera

I am a professor and mental health researcher and educator, and I’ve been working in the field for over 15 years. Like so many of my colleagues, however, I was unprepared for the wave of mental health challenges that would face our society in 2020. From COVID-19 and the devastating economic impacts of the pandemic to racial justice protests, widespread natural disasters, our current cultural moment presents unprecedented mental health concerns, and particularly for marginalized communities. For this reason, I led a field-wide call to action for mental health research and treatment that resulted in this #TalkMentalIllness course. I had the opportunity to speak to over 30 experts from different domains in psychology research, practice, and popular public figures and to discuss the causes and cutting-edge treatments for many serious disorders, the stigma surrounding mental illness in our culture, systemic inequality in mental health treatment, and the mental health challenges of today.

#talkmentalillness curates the interviews from the Mental Health Experts series into an accessible learning experience that will help you have conversations about mental health. Talking about mental illness is both the content and desired outcome of this course, as you will use what you learn from my interviews with mental health experts to guide your own discussions about mental health challenges and treatments with family members, friends, colleagues, and other people in your life. The course will begin by presenting a core set of definitions for mental illness and analyzing the stigma associated with it. We will then apply these topics to specific psychological disorders, including anxiety and mood disorders, eating disorders, suicide, substance use, and psychosis. We will then consider how these issues disproportionately impact marginalized groups and communities of color. The course will conclude by considering innovative approaches to psychological treatments and how the pursuit and science of happiness inform mental health and wellness.

This course is part of a broader educational mission to share the science of mental illness with both students and the public, both locally and globally. I have designed and created it in collaboration with the Office for Academic Innovation and Libraries’ Media Services Team at the University of Colorado Boulder.

- June Gruber

What's inside

Syllabus

Public Perceptions of Mental Illness

In the first week of #talkmentalillness, you will learn about public perceptions of mental illness and analyze the stigma associated with it. This week features interviews with leading public figures including Temple Grandin, public advocate for autism and author of The "Autistic Brain: Thinking Across the Spectrum"; Kay Redfield Jamison, international bipolar disorder expert and author of "Unquiet Mind" and "Touched with Fire"; Stephen Hinshaw, author of "Mark of Shame" and award-winning clinical psychology professor and Gordon Nagayama-Hall who discusses the influence of culture on mental health perception, diagnosis and treatment. Optional interviews include Mitchell Prinstein on communicating mental health to the public and Aaron Fisher on precision behavioral health.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Examines the stigma surrounding mental illness, a highly relevant topic in today's society

Led by June Gruber, a professor and mental health researcher with over 15 years of experience

Features interviews with over 30 experts in psychology research, practice, and popular public figures

Covers a broad range of topics, from anxiety and depression to suicide, substance use, and psychosis

Provides evidence-based approaches to psychological treatments and explores the science of happiness

Encourages students to have conversations about mental health challenges, fostering awareness and reducing stigma

Reviews summary

Expert insights on modern mental health

According to learners, #talkmentalillness offers a comprehensive and accessible overview of critical mental health topics. Students consistently praise the high-caliber expert interviews which provide diverse perspectives on mental illness, its stigma, and societal impacts. Many found the course highly valuable for fostering open conversations about mental health with family and friends. While some note the interview format can feel less structured than traditional lectures, the overall consensus is that the course provides an excellent foundational understanding and practical tools for engagement, empowering them to address modern mental health concerns.

Primarily relies on expert interviews for content delivery.

"While the experts were great, I sometimes wished for more traditional lecture segments to summarize key takeaways."

"The interview style was largely engaging, but occasionally I felt a lack of deeper academic structure."

"I personally enjoyed the conversational nature of the interviews; it felt more authentic and relatable."

Provides a solid foundation, not deep specialization.

"For a beginner, this course is perfect; it gives a great overview without being overwhelming."

"As someone with a psychology background, I found some parts a bit too introductory for advanced study."

"It's a fantastic starting point for anyone new to mental health studies or looking for a broad understanding."

Engaging final project encourages real-world application.

"The final project was unique and encouraged real-world application of what I learned in a public forum."

"I loved the idea of sharing my story or insights on social media; it made the course feel impactful and relevant."

"It pushed me to actually talk about mental health, which is precisely the course's core objective."

Covers a wide range of mental health issues and impacts.

"I liked the diverse topics covered, from anxiety to systemic inequalities and treatments, it was all very relevant."

"The range of disorders discussed, plus societal and cultural impacts, made it a very comprehensive learning experience."

"It really opened my eyes to how many different facets mental health encompasses, beyond just diagnoses."

Simplifies complex topics, empowering meaningful conversations.

"The course made complex mental health topics understandable, empowering me to talk about them more openly."

"It helped me greatly in understanding and reducing the stigma around mental illness, making me more comfortable discussing it."

"I now feel better equipped to discuss these sensitive issues with my loved ones and colleagues."

Features insights from leading professionals and public figures.

"The quality of the experts interviewed was outstanding, truly bringing a lot of depth to complex subjects."

"I really appreciated hearing from so many different voices and perspectives, it made the content very rich and engaging."

"Learning directly from figures like Temple Grandin and Laurie Santos was incredibly inspiring and insightful."

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 #talkmentalillness with these activities:

Review general psychology concepts

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Familiarizing yourself with general psychology concepts will build a strong foundation for this course.

Browse courses on Psychology

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Read an introductory psychology textbook
Review online resources
Attend a psychology lecture or workshop

Read 'The Body Keeps the Score' by Bessel van der Kolk

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This book delves into the effects of trauma on the mind and body, providing a comprehensive understanding of mental illness.

View SUMMARY of the BODY KEEPS the SCORE by BESSEL... on Amazon

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Purchase or borrow the book
Read the book at your own pace
Take notes and reflect on the concepts

Connect with professionals in the field of mental health

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Reaching out to professionals can provide you with guidance and mentorship.

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Identify potential mentors
Reach out and introduce yourself
Request guidance and support

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Explore online mental health resources

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Learning how to use online mental health resources will supplement your learning in this course.

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Identify reputable mental health websites and organizations
Explore online support groups and forums
Utilize online therapy or counseling services

Participate in a peer support group for mental health

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Joining a peer support group can provide you with valuable insights and emotional support.

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Find a peer support group in your area
Attend meetings regularly
Share your experiences and support others

Write a blog post or article on mental illness

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Writing about mental illness can deepen your understanding of the topic and help reduce stigma.

Browse courses on Mental Illness

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Choose a specific topic related to mental illness
Research the topic thoroughly
Write a well-informed and engaging article
Share your article with others

Develop a mental health awareness campaign

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Creating a mental health awareness campaign can help you apply your knowledge and make a real-world impact.

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Identify a specific mental health issue
Develop a campaign strategy
Create and distribute campaign materials
Evaluate the impact of the campaign

Design a website or mobile app for mental health support

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Building a website or app can translate your understanding of mental illness into a tangible tool for supporting others.

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Identify the target audience and their needs
Design the user interface and user experience
Develop the website or app
Launch and promote the website or app

Career center

Learners who complete #talkmentalillness will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Psychiatrist

Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in diagnosing and treating mental illness. They typically need a bachelor's degree, followed by a medical degree and residency in psychiatry. This course may be useful to a Psychiatrist by helping them to better understand the causes and treatments of mental illness, as well as the stigma surrounding it. The course may also help Psychiatrists to better understand the mental health challenges faced by marginalized communities and how to provide culturally competent care.

See salaries and explore the career path for Psychiatrist

Psychologist

Psychologists study the mind and behavior. They typically need a bachelor's degree in psychology, followed by a master's degree and doctorate in psychology. This course may be useful to a Psychologist by helping them to better understand the causes and treatments of mental illness, as well as the stigma surrounding it. The course may also help Psychologists to better understand the mental health challenges faced by marginalized communities and how to provide culturally competent care.

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Therapist

Therapists help people to cope with mental illness and other challenges. They typically need a bachelor's degree in psychology, counseling, or a related field, followed by a master's degree in psychology, counseling, or a related field. This course may be useful to a Therapist by helping them to better understand the causes and treatments of mental illness, as well as the stigma surrounding it. The course may also help Therapists to better understand the mental health challenges faced by marginalized communities and how to provide culturally competent care.

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Social Worker

Social Workers help people to cope with mental illness and other challenges. They typically need a bachelor's degree in social work, followed by a master's degree in social work. This course may be useful to a Social Worker by helping them to better understand the causes and treatments of mental illness, as well as the stigma surrounding it. The course may also help Social Workers to better understand the mental health challenges faced by marginalized communities and how to provide culturally competent care.

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Mental Health Counselor

In the United States, a Mental Health Counselor typically needs a master's degree in mental health counseling or a related field, as well as two years of post-master's supervised experience. This course may be useful to a Mental Health Counselor by broadening their knowledge of the causes and treatments of mental illness, as well as the stigma surrounding it. The course may also help Mental Health Counselors to better understand the mental health challenges faced by marginalized communities and how to provide culturally competent care.

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Health Educator

Health Educators help people to improve their health and well-being. They typically need a bachelor's degree in health education, public health, or a related field. This course may be useful to a Health Educator by helping them to better understand the causes and treatments of mental illness, as well as the stigma surrounding it. The course may also help Health Educators to better understand the mental health challenges faced by marginalized communities and how to develop and implement culturally competent health education programs.

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Journalist

Journalists write, edit, and report on news stories for newspapers, magazines, websites, and other media outlets. They typically need a bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, or a related field. This course may be useful to a Journalist by helping them to better understand the causes and treatments of mental illness, as well as the stigma surrounding it. The course may also help Journalists to better understand the mental health challenges faced by marginalized communities and how to report on mental health issues in a sensitive and accurate way.

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Lawyer

Lawyers advise and represent clients in legal matters. They typically need a bachelor's degree, followed by a law degree and passing the bar exam. This course may be useful to a Lawyer by helping them to better understand the legal implications of mental illness, as well as the stigma surrounding it. The course may also help Lawyers to better understand the mental health challenges faced by marginalized communities and how to advocate for their rights.

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Policy Analyst

Policy Analysts research and analyze public policy issues. They typically need a bachelor's degree in public policy, political science, or a related field. This course may be useful to a Policy Analyst by helping them to better understand the mental health challenges faced by marginalized communities and how to develop policies that address these challenges.

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Public Health Administrator

Public Health Administrators plan and implement public health programs. They typically need a bachelor's degree in public health, health administration, or a related field. This course may be useful to a Public Health Administrator by helping them to better understand the mental health challenges faced by marginalized communities and how to develop and implement culturally competent public health programs.

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Teacher

Teachers educate students at all levels, from preschool to college. They typically need a bachelor's degree in education or a related field. This course may be useful to a Teacher by helping them to better understand the mental health challenges faced by their students and how to create a supportive and inclusive learning environment.

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Social Activist

Social Activists work to bring about social change. They typically do not need a specific educational background, but they often have a strong passion for social justice. This course may be useful to a Social Activist by helping them to better understand the mental health challenges faced by marginalized communities and how to advocate for their rights.

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Mental Health Advocate

Mental Health Advocates work to improve the lives of people with mental illness. They typically do not need a specific educational background, but they often have a personal or professional connection to mental illness. This course may be useful to a Mental Health Advocate by helping them to better understand the causes and treatments of mental illness, as well as the stigma surrounding it. The course may also help Mental Health Advocates to better understand the mental health challenges faced by marginalized communities and how to advocate for their rights.

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Research Scientist

Research Scientists conduct research to advance scientific knowledge. They typically need a bachelor's degree in science, followed by a master's degree and doctorate in science. This course may be useful to a Research Scientist by helping them to better understand the causes and treatments of mental illness, as well as the stigma surrounding it. The course may also help Research Scientists to develop new approaches to mental health research.

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Pharmacist

Pharmacists dispense medications and provide advice on their use. They typically need a bachelor's degree in pharmacy, followed by a doctor of pharmacy degree. This course may be useful to a Pharmacist by helping them to better understand the medications used to treat mental illness, as well as the potential side effects of these medications.

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