MSc Mental Health & Wellbeing

Program Overview

Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU) in the United Kingdom offers an MSc Mental Health & Wellbeing program, designed for individuals seeking to develop a comprehensive understanding of mental health in a non-clinical capacity. This interdisciplinary postgraduate degree explores the biological, psychological, social, cultural, and environmental factors that influence mental health across the lifespan. The program distinguishes itself by providing students with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills to address current local, national, and global mental health challenges, fostering innovative responses within complex political, cultural, geographical, and economic contexts. It is ideal for those aiming to work in diverse roles across statutory and non-statutory sectors, including education, public health, social care, and charitable organizations, supporting the mental health and wellbeing needs of society without leading to professional nursing registration.

Curriculum: The MSc Mental Health & Wellbeing curriculum is structured to provide a deep exploration of mental health concepts and practices through a range of engaging modules. Core modules typically include "Introducing Academic Skills for Health," "Mental Health, Culture and Society," "Contemporary Health and Lifestyle Issues," "Collaborative Working in Health," "Arts and Health," "Essentials of Global Epidemiology," "Evidence Based Mental Health," "Mental Health Across the Life Course," and "Occupation and Mental Health and Wellbeing." These modules cover the impact of the arts on health, the principles of epidemiology in mental health practice, evidence-based research and evaluation methods, and the complexities of mental ill-health throughout the life course, including the influence of occupational settings. The program culminates in a "Global Public Health Research Project," allowing students to undertake a substantial piece of independent research. The course is delivered by a mix of inter-professional academics, ensuring a broad range of perspectives and expertise.

Research Focus: The MSc Mental Health & Wellbeing program at Canterbury Christ Church University is underpinned by a robust research focus, emphasizing evidence-based practice and critical inquiry. The curriculum actively develops students' knowledge and critical understanding of research and evaluation methods relevant to mental health. Modules like "Evidence Based Mental Health" are specifically designed to enable students to develop a research proposal, which then serves as a plan for their significant "Global Public Health Research Project." Academics within the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Social Care are actively engaged in research across various areas, including mental health, arts and health, improvement research in health and social care, and co-producing health and wellbeing. This commitment to research ensures that teaching is informed by current advancements and equips students with the skills to become independent researchers capable of contributing to the evidence base in mental health and wellbeing.

Industry Engagement: Industry engagement is a key component of the MSc Mental Health & Wellbeing program, preparing students for impactful careers in various sectors. The course aims to provide graduates with the knowledge and skills to work in a wide array of roles within statutory, non-statutory, educational, health, and social care environments. The inter-professional nature of the academic staff delivering the course ensures that a range of perspectives from different professional backgrounds are covered, enriching the learning experience and providing practical insights. While it does not lead to professional registration (like nursing), the program is designed to develop competencies required by a healthy public health workforce, as set out in frameworks like the Public Health Skills and Knowledge Framework. The university maintains a broad network of partnerships with local, regional, and national providers of health and social care services, including the NHS, private, and voluntary organizations, which likely informs the curriculum and provides context for career pathways.

Global Perspective: The MSc Mental Health & Wellbeing program at Canterbury Christ Church University incorporates a strong global perspective, reflecting the interconnected nature of mental health challenges worldwide. Students explore current local, national, and global mental health issues, examining them within the context of complex political, cultural, geographical, and economic environments. Modules such as "Essentials of Global Epidemiology" and the "Global Public Health Research Project" explicitly address global mental health, enabling students to understand patterns of disease, intervention strategies, and research across diverse international settings. The program also considers the importance of mental health across the life course through a complex intersectionality of environmental, social, psychological, and biological factors, 1 which often have global dimensions. This global outlook prepares graduates to contribute to addressing mental health and wellbeing needs in an increasingly interconnected world, whether through policy development, public health initiatives, or international development programs.