GLOBAL MODELS OF MENTAL HEALTH - 2026/7

Module Overview

Mental ill health is on the rise with over 970 million people globally experiencing a mental disorder, impacting all aspects of life, including relationships, community engagement and employment. There are different ways to explain mental ill health and the factors that influence our health. Attitudes and assumptions about mental ill health, including approaches to understanding distress, access to and approaches to treatment vary greatly across the globe. Different models emphasise and are driven by different theoretical perspectives as well as individual, societal, cultural, and economic factors. Students will explore some of the different global models of mental ill health, to consider these in relation to the current research base and debate the contemporary issues around addressing the treatment gap and the need for greater equity. The students will have an opportunity to build on the theoretical concepts introduced in the modules: Core Ethical and Professional Skills, Diversity, Values and Holistic Health Contexts, and Evidence Based Psychological Therapies.

Module provider

Psychology

Module Leader

CROUCH Emma (Psychology)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 7

Module cap (Maximum number of students): 50

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None

Module content

Indicative content: 

• Global epidemiology and classification (different attitudes and assumptions about mental disorder and distress).
• Wellbeing, the environment, and health economies - the treatment gap.
• An introduction to the UK & the Psychological professions context, including Clinical psychology & Talking therapies.
• Debate contemporary issues: Formulation versus diagnosis, common versus specific factors in psychological interventions and evidence-based practice in clinical psychology & the psychological professions, different models and modes of working in clinical psychology/psychological professions (for example scientist-practitioner, reflective practitioner).
• Individual-family-group perspectives.
• Group presentations on global models.

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

Individual presentation plus 250-word reflection.

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to:Through both formative and summative assignments, the students will be supported to engage critically with the topics under study, with reference to current theories and debates, as well as identifying gaps in knowledge, understanding and treatment.The assessment is specifically designed to critically engage students with the current theories and debates as well as research literature on a range of global perspectives on the causes, measurement, treatment and future sustainability solutions in relation to the mental health crisis.Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

• Group Presentation to the class on a global model of mental health Pass/Fail plus 250-word reflection. (LO 1-6)
• An Essay (LO 1-6)

• Debate on a contemporary issue around either the epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment or measure of recovery of mental health presentations. (LO 1-3)

Module aims

• Introduce the students to global models of mental ill health, including the UK context.
• Explore the different attitudes and assumptions across the globe to understanding and responding to mental distress.
• To critique the treatment gap and the factors contributing to inequity of access and support.
• Examine the research base for different models of mental ill health and the future sustainable approaches & solutions to the global crisis.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:Foster the development of adult learners who can critically engage with the current literature and discuss and debate the issues facing our global understanding of mental ill health and mental wellbeing to creatively explore options for a sustainable response.Teaching will be delivered across semester 2 with lecture/seminar slots introducing the topic and facilitating discussion and debate on current issues followed by a set number of weeks with students giving group presentations on different global models, followed by seminars for reflective discussion on these models.The learning and teaching methods include:The learning and teaching methods include Lectures/workshops and Captured Content. Formative assessments to develop an integrated body of knowledge. Problem-based learning activities. Group presentations which support the development of translational skills. SurreyLearn resources repository including documentaries and links to websites and podcasts. Critical discussion of research findings in the form of debates. Guided learning activities on SurreyLearn. Independent student reading.

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: PSYM184

Other information

The school of Psychology is committed to developing graduates with strengths in Employability, Digital Capabilities, Global and Cultural Capabilities, Sustainability, and Resourcefulness and Resilience. This module is designed to allow students to develop knowledge, skills, and capabilities in the following areas:

Digital capabilities:

Trainees will be expected to access and utilise resources on SurreyLearn, which tutors can monitor via the Surrey Engagement tool as well as use a variety of online teaching tools such as poll everywhere, Kahoot, wordwall and padlet. Tutors will provide opportunities to watch videos, listen to audios resources, and podcasts to diversify learning opportunities and enhance engagement.

Employability:

This module aims to stimulate current and future oriented thinking in the field of mental health conceptualisation and treatment, which will underpin or expand the scope of practice within a career in the mental health sector. Additionally, through knowledge acquisition, and critical thinking, students will be better equipped to engage in further post graduate courses in the pursuit of employment as a psychological therapist or Psychologist or to move straight to employment in mental health services.

Global and cultural capabilities:

This module is focused on global perspectives, aiming to stimulate critical thinking around knowledge about access, and models of delivery across different cultural groups, and diverse populations. The inclusion of an expert by experience perspective means that students get to engage with individual perspectives across diverse experiences and backgrounds.

Resourcefulness and Resilience:

This module seeks to build on previous modules where students have been introduced to self-practice and self-reflection and encourages the students to apply this learning in the context of global models of mental health. This involves examining one¿s values and belief systems and developing a deeper awareness of the beliefs, values and worldviews underpinning different global models of mental healthcare. This will support the development of cognitive flexibility, creativity and empathy towards self and others.

Sustainability:

All session resources are posted on Surreylearn. Global models of mental health will be discussed and critically appraised generating innovative discussion and creative solutions to the global mental health crisis.

Programmes this module appears in

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2026/7 academic year.