Course

Unit 1

Introduction to Community Mental Health

Definition and scope. Historical evolution and significance. Mental health versus mental illness. Principles of community psychiatry and public mental health. Explore online mental health dashboards such as the WHO Mental Health Atlas or India’s Ministry of Health portals to examine prevalence and service coverage in local and global contexts.

Unit 2

Determinants and Epidemiology of Mental Health

Social, economic, and environmental factors. Community risk and protective factors. Vulnerable populations. Epidemiology of common mental disorders. Use Google Forms or Microsoft Forms to create beginner-friendly surveys assessing mental health needs in a simulated community setting. 

Unit 3

Mental Health Promotion and Prevention

Preventive strategies: primary, secondary, tertiary. Models of mental health promotion. Community outreach, psychoeducation, and life skills training. Role of NGOs, schools, and workplaces. School Mental Health – Historical Development – Strategies and Policies in India and the World – Current Status. Design digital awareness campaigns using Canva or Instagram to educate communities about stress management, coping strategies, or stigma reduction.

Unit 4

Community-Based Mental Health Services

Types of services: clinics, mobile teams, tele-mental health. Rehabilitation and reintegration programs. Crisis intervention and suicide prevention. Role of caregivers and self-help groups. Explore basic tele-mental health platforms (Zoom, Google Meet) for simulated community counselling sessions. Simple AI transcription tools (such as Otter.ai) can be used to record and review counselling interactions.

Unit 5

Policy, Ethics, and Advocacy in Community Mental Health

National Mental Health Programme and District Mental Health Programme. Legal and ethical considerations in community settings. Community participation and empowerment. Advocacy for mental health rights and destigmatization. Recent developments in community mental health in India: policies, programs and models. Use online advocacy tools (such as Change.org) to create petitions for mental health awareness campaigns and policy advocacy, applying principles of ethical digital engagement.

Text Books / References

Textbooks

1. Kumar, P. (2013). Mental health and community psychology: A framework for intervention. Sage Publications India.
2. World Health Organisation. (2001). Mental health: New understanding, new hope (The World Health Report 2001). World Health Organisation.
3. Thara, R., & Patel, V. (2010). Role of non-governmental organisations in mental health in India. Indian Journal of Psychiatry, 52(Suppl 1), S389–S395. https://doi.org/10.4103/0019-5545.69245
4. Jacob, K. S. (2011). Community care for people with mental disorders in developing countries. World Psychiatry, 10(2), 162–163.
5. Patel, V., Minas, H., Cohen, A., & Prince, M. J. (2014). Global mental health: Principles and practice. Oxford University Press.

Suggested Readings

1. Sarason, S. B. (1988). Community psychology, networks, and Mr. Everyman. Clinical Psychology Publishing Co
2. Brock, K. J., & Sarason, I. G. (1996). Handbook of community mental health. Springer Publishing.
3. Gopalkrishnan, N., & Babacan, H. (2015). Cultural diversity and mental health: Considerations for policy and practice. Frontiers in Public Health, 3, 173. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2015.00173

The Community Mental Health course offers a comprehensive introduction to understanding mental health and well-being through a community-based lens. Central to the course is the emphasis on preventive, promotive, and rehabilitative approaches, equipping students to address mental health challenges proactively and holistically within diverse population groups. By examining the social, cultural, economic, and environmental determinants that shape mental health, students gain a nuanced appreciation of the complex factors influencing well-being in India and beyond. The curriculum prioritises equitable access to mental health care, highlighting the need to address stigma, marginalisation, and social determinants that contribute to disparities in mental health outcomes. Throughout the module, students will develop essential skills in assessing community mental health needs, designing and implementing tailored interventions, and engaging in advocacy for individuals and groups. The course fosters an understanding of the importance of interdisciplinary collaborationenabling students to work alongside various professionals and community stakeholders to promote mental health at the grassroots level. In line with contemporary developments, students are introduced to national mental health programmes, key policy frameworks, and the role of digital tools in mental health promotion, data collection, and tele-mental health facilitation. By integrating these elements, the course prepares students to become effective agents of change, committed to advancing mental health equity and well-being across communities.

Course Objectives:

• To provide a foundational understanding of community mental health and its principles.
• To explore the socio-cultural and systemic influences on mental health in community settings.
• To examine models and strategies for mental health promotion, prevention, and early intervention.
• To develop skills in planning and evaluating community mental health programs.
• To understand the role of mental health professionals in community-based settings.
• To introduce students to basic digital tools for mental health promotion, data collection, and tele-mental health facilitation.

Course Outcomes:

• CO1: Describe key concepts, principles, and approaches in community mental health.
• CO2: Analyse the impact of social determinants, stigma, and marginalisation on mental health outcomes.
• CO3: Design culturally sensitive and inclusive mental health promotion strategies.
• CO4: Collaborate with stakeholders to implement community-based mental health programs.
• CO5: Evaluate community interventions and advocate for mental health equity and policy reform.

CO-PO Mapping