Clinical Psychology: Psychology of Health and Mental Health (OPEN UNI)

Prerequisites and co-requisites None

Relations to other courses: The course is part of the basic studies in psychology

The student will be able to: • Describe the approaches and basic concepts of clinical psychology. • Describe the basic concepts and approaches of clinical psychology and psychiatry. • Describe the classification and prevalence of mental disorders. • Identify critical stages and events in the life cycle related to mental health. • Describe interventions used to promote mental health. • Understand the specialist role of the psychologist in social and health care. • Understand the basic methods of scientific research and issues related to the reliability of mental health data.

The course supports the development of the following generic skills: • The student recognizes and evaluates the key skills of analytical, critical, and creative thinking, understands their relevance in scientific, professional, and ethical contexts, and applies disciplinary knowledge to solve complex and unpredictable problems. • The student is able to reflect on their own well-being and self-leadership, identify work-related stressors in expert roles, and make use of self‑compassion. They can describe and further develop their expertise and professional identity, support group learning, and identify the need for lifelong learning. • The student acts responsibly, equitably, and in accordance with professional ethics in various interaction situations, respecting different stakeholders, environments, values, and good scientific practice. • The student identifies similarities and differences between their own discipline and related fields, approaches other disciplines with openness, and is able to work constructively in multi- and interdisciplinary teams. • The student is able to contribute constructively to group communication, give and receive feedback, resolve conflicts, and develop their communication, interaction, and multiliteracy skills.

Mode of delivery: Contact / multi-method teaching, confirmed annually in the beginning of the course. A maximum of 24h of lectures and other teaching, some 110h of independent work

The course is implemented in cooperation with Psykonet.

Where applicable or other literature: 

1. KUMPULAINEN, K., ARONEN, E., EBELING, H., LAUKKANEN, E., MARTTUNEN, M., PUURA, K. & SOURANDER, A. (toim.) (2016). Lastenpsykiatria ja nuorisopsykiatria. Helsinki: Duodecim. E-kirja (Duodecim-verkkoaineisto). 

2. LÖNNQVIST, J., MARTTUNEN, M., HENRIKSSON, M., PARTONEN, T., AALBERG, V., SEPPÄLÄ, O. (toim.) (2023). Psykiatria. Helsinki: Duodecim. E-kirja (Duodecim-verkkoaineisto).

3.  Other literature indicated at the beginning of the course.

More detailed course instructions are given at the beginning of the course.

The assessment is based on e.g., lectures and exercises, independent and/or group assignments, exam. More detailed instructions and methods of delivery will be given at the beginning of the course.

Language of instruction: Finnish

Timing: 1st year, 4th period

Target group: open university students, minor subject students

Other information Implementation of the open university and Psykonet