Mental Health

THE AIMS OF THE COURSE:

To develop an understanding of the nature and prevalence of mental health

problems and psychological well-being and the common care pathways and treatments.

To develop a critical understanding of the quality of research evidence that

underpins evidence-based practice for promoting physical activity to enhance mental health.

To develop an understanding of what the research literature suggests about the

effects of physical activity on mental illness, mental health problems,
psychological well-being and quality of life.

To develop an understanding of how exercise improves mental health through specific

mechanisms (eg bio-physical, psycho-social), in order to guide physical activity promotion.

To develop a range of skills to facilitate the effective promotion of

physical activity among clients with mental health issues.

To develop an awareness of measurement tools that may be used in the

physical activity and mental health context.


COURSE CONTENT INCLUDES:

Introduction and course aims

Dimensions of mental health: prevalence, care pathways and treatments

What do we mean by evidence-based physical activity promotion for enhancing mental health?

The evidence for relationships and mechanisms, with implications for practice:

exercise

depression & anxiety

self-esteem

cognitive functioning

falls prevention

mood

sleep

addiction treatment

anti-social behaviour

quality of lifeamong people with physical and mental illness

(eg, cardiac problems, cancer, AIDs/HIV, chronic fatigue syndrome, arthritis and pain)

Additional issues in promoting behaviour change for people with mental health problems

Evaluation tools