330.664.01
Introduction to Mental Health Services

Location
East Baltimore
Term
1st Term
Department
Mental Health
Credit(s)
3
Academic Year
2024 - 2025
Instruction Method
In-person
Class Time(s)
M, W, 1:30 - 2:50pm
Auditors Allowed
Yes, with instructor consent
Available to Undergraduate
No
Grading Restriction
Letter Grade or Pass/Fail
Course Instructor(s)
Sachini Bandara
Contact Name
Sachini Bandara
Frequency Schedule
Every Year
Prerequisite

There are no formal prerequisites but prior coursework in abnormal psychology or psychiatric epidemiology is recommended as is familiarity with psychiatric diagnosis and treatment.

Description
Examines issues in mental health care utilization, including definition of need for mental health care, concerns about the treatment gap in the community, treatment seeking and barriers to care (most importantly stigma and financial barriers) and treatment seeking models and predictors of mental health treatment-seeking in community settings. Introduces students to the study of delivery of mental health care, including historical trends in the delivery of mental health care in the US, the mental health care system’s governance and financing, quality and outcomes of mental health care and mental health services for children and older adults and treatment services for substance disorders.
Learning Objectives
Upon successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
  1. Discuss approaches to definition and measurement of unmet need for mental health care and barriers to care including stigma and financial barriers
  2. Discuss treatment seeking behavior and theoretical models of health service utilization
  3. Describe historical trends in utilization and delivery of mental health services including psychiatric medications and services for treatment of substance disorders
  4. Discuss issues of quality and outcome of mental health care and evidence-based practice
  5. Identify salient features of mental health service use and delivery for children and older adults
Methods of Assessment
This course is evaluated as follows:
  • 10% Participation
  • 20% Midterm
  • 35% Final Exam
  • 35% Paper(s)
Enrollment Restriction
No undergraduate students
Instructor Consent
No consent required
Special Comments

This is the onsite section of a course also held virtually/online. You are responsible for the modality in which you register.