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Mental Health Promotion (PgCert)

 

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Course Overview

NOTE: This course is not on offer for entry 2023.


The Postgraduate Certificate in Mental Health Promotion has been jointly developed by University of Galway and Mental Health Ireland. This programme is designed for professionals working in different sectors who wish to develop knowledge, skills and competencies of mental health promotion and its implementation in practice.

The programme aim is to provide participants with professional education and training in the principles and practice of promoting positive mental health and wellbeing. This part-time programme is open to those working in a professional capacity in areas such as mental health, health promotion, public health, primary care, education, community work, nursing, social work, psychology and allied fields.

Course participants will acquire an understanding of the concepts, principles and evidence base for mental health promotion and the practical implementation of mental health promotion interventions from a national and international perspective. Course participants will gain skills and competencies for the effective implementation of mental health promotion interventions based on principles of evidence-based practice and policy.

Duration
The Postgraduate Certificate in Mental Health Promotion is a part-time course of one academic year duration. The programme runs from September to the following May.

Continued Professional Development
This is a Level 9 programme comprising of 30 European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) points in total. Each module carries 10 ECTS points. Successful graduates who wish to apply to the MA/Postgraduate Diploma in Health Promotion programme, offered by University of Galway, can carry forward up to 20 ECTS.

Scholarships available
Find out about our Postgraduate Scholarships here.

Applications and Selections

Applications are made online via the University of Galway Postgraduate Applications System. 

Who Teaches this Course

The academic direction of the programme will be provided by Professor Margaret Barry, University of Galway. Academics in the Discipline of Health Promotion, together with contributions from practitioners and those with lived experience in the specialist field of study, deliver the lectures and workshops. This course takes place at the University of Galway campus. 

researcher
Prof Margaret Barry
MA, PhD.
Established Professor of Health Promotion and Public Health
Discipline of Health Promotion
School of Health Sciences
NUI Galway
View Profile

Requirements and Assessment

Modules are assessed by means of continuous assessment based on essays and project work throughout the year.

Key Facts

Entry Requirements

Entry requirement is a primary degree. Each applicant is assessed individually on relevant professional experience, level of motivation and suitability, as per Personal Statement submitted on the online application.


Additional Requirements

Duration

1 year, part-time

Next start date

(This course is not on offer for entry 2023.)

A Level Grades ()

Average intake

20–25

QQI/FET FETAC Entry Routes

Closing Date

(This course is not on offer for entry 2023.)

NFQ level

Mode of study

ECTS weighting

30

Award

CAO

Course code

PGC-MHP

Course Outline

Programme structure
The programme comprises three modules. The first two modules include participation in workshops and self-paced instructional materials with assignments and independent study, while the third module focuses on project work.

1.  Concepts and principles of Health Promotion

This module includes:

  • Definitions of health and Health Promotion
  • Health Promotion programme development
  • Current issues and discourse in Health Promotion policy and practice
  • Communication training and facilitation skills. 

2. Specialism module

This module includes:

  • Concepts and determinants of positive mental health and wellbeing, mental health equity, frameworks for practice
  • Effective mental health promotion interventions, evidence-based principles of effective practice
  • Implementing mental health promotion strategies across the life course in key settings such as the home, schools (primary and post-primary), community, primary care and mental health services
  • International and national policy development, advocacy and capacity development in the promotion of mental health and wellbeing.

 
3. Project development

Course participants will design a mental health promotion intervention for implementation with a specific population group in a setting of their choice.

Curriculum Information

Curriculum information relates to the current academic year (in most cases).
Course and module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Glossary of Terms

Credits
You must earn a defined number of credits (aka ECTS) to complete each year of your course. You do this by taking all of its required modules as well as the correct number of optional modules to obtain that year's total number of credits.
Module
An examinable portion of a subject or course, for which you attend lectures and/or tutorials and carry out assignments. E.g. Algebra and Calculus could be modules within the subject Mathematics. Each module has a unique module code eg. MA140.
Optional
A module you may choose to study.
Required
A module that you must study if you choose this course (or subject).
Semester
Most courses have 2 semesters (aka terms) per year.

Year 1 (30 Credits)

Required HP140: Mental Health Promotion


Trimester 3 | Credits: 10

This specialism module introduces the concepts and determinants of positive mental health and wellbeing and the evidence-based principles of effective mental health promotion practice. The implementation of mental health promotion strategies across the life course is examined.
(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes
  1. Have a critical understanding of the conceptual and theoretical base of mental health promotion.
  2. Identify the determinants, risk and protective factors for positive mental health and wellbeing and the nature of their interaction in promoting mental health equity.
  3. Critically appraise and apply the generic principles of evidence-based practice in implementing mental health promotion interventions across the life course delivered in key settings, such and the home, schools, community and health services.
  4. Understand principles of best practice based on current international and national research on evidence based practice and policy.
Assessments

This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.

  • Continuous Assessment (100%)
Module Director
Lecturers / Tutors
Reading List
  1. "Implementing Mental Health Promotion" by Barry, M.M., Clarke, A.M., Petersen, I., Jenkins, R. (Eds.)
    Publisher: Springer Nature
The above information outlines module HP140: "Mental Health Promotion" and is valid from 2022 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Required HP6102: Concepts, Principles & Practice of Health Promotion


Trimester 3 | Credits: 10

This module provides a theoretical background to concepts, principles and practice of Health Promotion as a foundation for policy and practice. It references evidence-based practice and the development of Health Promotion interventions. The module also incorporates effective communication for health and consideration of mass media approaches.
(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes
  1. Demonstrate critical understanding of theoretical concepts, principles and practice of Health Promotion and health communication.
  2. Apply critical understandings of theoretical concepts, principles and the practice of Health Promotion to the promotion of Health in specialist area.
  3. Understand how and why health is a contested concept and critically discuss implications for communicating good health practice.
  4. Design, implement and evaluate good evidence interventions for Health Promotion.
  5. Critically understand challenges and ethical dilemmas facing health practitioners.
  6. Demonstrate effective communication skills and understanding of group dynamics.
  7. Critically analyse the contribution of mass and electronic media in health communication.
Assessments

This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.

  • Continuous Assessment (100%)
Module Director
Lecturers / Tutors
Reading List
  1. "Promoting Health - A Practical Guide" by Angela Scriven
    ISBN: 9780702066924.
    Publisher: Elsevier
  2. "Understanding Health: A determinants approach" by Keleher, H., & MacDougall, C.
    Publisher: Oxford University Press
  3. "Foundations for Health Promotion" by Naidoo, J., & Wills, J.
    Publisher: Elsevier
  4. "Health Promotion: Planning and Strategies" by Green, J., Tones, K., Cross, R. & Woodall, J.
    Publisher: Sage
The above information outlines module HP6102: "Concepts, Principles & Practice of Health Promotion" and is valid from 2018 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Required HP6103: Health Promotion Projects


Trimester 3 | Credits: 10

This module will enable students to design a Health Promotion programme with a specific population group relevant to the programme specialism. This project will give students the opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of knowledge base and theory underpinning Health Promotion practice as applied to interventions.
(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes
  1. Understand theoretical concepts, principles and practices of Health Promotion and critically apply the processes involved to a Health Promotion project.
  2. Design a Health Promotion intervention based on a target population's needs.
  3. Identify and critically address project components, resources and assets to plan a Health Promotion intervention.
  4. Understand the importance of evaluation when designing or implementing a Health Promotion intervention.
  5. Plan, implement and critically evaluate a Health Promotion programme in an organisational setting.
Assessments

This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.

  • Continuous Assessment (100%)
Module Director
Lecturers / Tutors
Reading List
  1. "Promoting Health - A Practical Guide" by Angela Scriven
    ISBN: 9780702066924.
    Publisher: Elsevier
  2. "Foundations for Health Promotion" by Naidoo, J. & Wills, J.
    ISBN: 0702054429.
    Publisher: Elsevier Health Sciences
The above information outlines module HP6103: "Health Promotion Projects" and is valid from 2018 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Why Choose This Course?

Career Opportunities

Graduates will work in a broad range of professional sectors to incorporate mental health promotion into their practice, equipping them with the necessary knowledge and skills to implement evidence-based mental health promotion actions. The learning from this programme will support professional development and workforce capacity in mental health promotion, positioning graduates to advance their role in this field and re- orientate their practice to support the promotion of population mental health and well-being. 

This part-time outreach programme is intended for professionals working in different sectors who wish to acquire knowledge and skills related to planning and implementing mental health promotion interventions. The programme will be open to those working in a professional capacity in areas such as mental health, health promotion, public health, primary care, education, community work, nursing, social work, psychology and allied fields. The course will be designed to develop their knowledge, skills and competencies of mental health promotion and its implementation in practice.

Who’s Suited to This Course

Learning Outcomes

Transferable Skills Employers Value

Work Placement

Study Abroad

Related Student Organisations

Course Fees

Fees: EU

€2,120 p.a. 2023/24

Fees: Tuition

€2,050 p.a. 2023/24

Fees: Student levy

€70 p.a. 2023/24

Fees: Non EU

€

Find out More

Ms Denise Glavin
Discipline of Health Promotion
University of Galway
T: +353 91 493 092
E: denise.glavin@universityofgalway.ie
www.nuigalway.ie/hpr

Alan

Alan Gallagher |   Graduate, 2019–2020

The course appealed to me on a number of levels. Having worked as a nurse in frontline mental health services for many years, I was keen to study again and expand my knowledge on the concept of health and health promotion. I had always been interested in the field so I jumped at the chance to do this part-time course in the lovely city of Galway. The course has so far exceeded my expectations. Through blended learning (a new concept to me!) and monthly face to face lectures, I have met many friendly NUIG staff and classmates from a variety of backgrounds. I also discovered that maintaining that ever so important work-life balance was possible. As someone who was, for years, very apprehensive about returning to study I can honestly say that the tutors and the design of the course work itself have made this more easily achievable. As a graduate of the course, I hope to apply the knowledge/skills I have learned (specifically in relation to the wider determinants of mental health and evidence-based health promoting interventions) into my daily practice. I also have a passion for teaching student nurses and hope to delve further into this area.

Downloads

  • Postgraduate Prospectus 2023

    Postgraduate Prospectus 2023 PDF (20.6MB)