This course provides students with knowledge and skills in conducting psychiatric and psychosocial assessments on people with mental illness. Assessments on individual illnesses such as depression and psychosis will be taught using a bio-psychosocial perspective. The first 5 lectures cover the genetic and neurological bases of certain types of mental illness and the other 5 lectures will focus on the psychosocial factors in the etiology and development of certain types of mental illness. Students will be introduced to selected neurological, psychological and psychosocial assessment tools that are commonly used in measuring the mental health characteristics and statuses of a person with mental health concerns. Practical skills in using these assessment tools will be taught during classes.
