Provides unique programme of study for students wishing to gain a sound understanding of the issues around the new discipline of Global Mental Health research. Enables students to gain knowledge and skills required to initiate, develop and implement policies in low resource settings and to conduct and critically evaluate research. Excellent preparation for careers in policy, research and work in international agencies.
KEY BENEFITS
- Foundation modules in principles of psychiatric research, statistics for epidemiology, scaling up services and research and evidence into practice: applying the principles of Global Mental Health, followed by elective modules selected from over twenty available.
- Teaching and supervision delivered by leading researchers from the Centre for Global Mental Health at the Institute of Psychiatry and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
- Welcomes applications from a variety of academic and professional backgrounds, including: clinicians, researchers, development workers, those working in policy and planning.
KEY FACTS
Student destinations
Graduates of this course will be well equipped to enter careers in national mental health policy and planning, epidemiological and mental health services research, and advisory and advocacy roles in government, international agencies and non-governmental organisations.
Programme leader/s
Dr Rosie Mayston (King's College London); Dr Alex Cohen (London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine)
Awarding Institution
King's College London and University of London (London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine)
Credit value (UK/ECTS equivalent)
UK 180/ECTS 90
Duration
One year FT, two years PT.
Location
Denmark Hill Campus and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
Year of entry 2013
Offered by
Institute of Psychiatry
Health Service & Population Research Department
Closing date
31 July 2013.
Intake
20.
Fees
PT Home: £4500 (2013)
PT Overseas: £11000 (2013)
FT Home: £9000 (2013)
FT Overseas: £22000 (2013)
CONTACTS
Contact information
Rosie Mayston, Programme Leader, Institute of Psychiatry +44(0)20 7848 5083
Email
Website
PURPOSE
The programme will suit students from a wide variety of academic and professional backgrounds, including clinicians, researchers, development workers, policy makers and service planners looking to work in low resource settings. We aim to train future leaders in mental health.
DESCRIPTION
Provides a unique programme of study for students wanting to gain a comprehensive understanding of the issues encompassed by the new discipline of Global Mental Health research. Enables students to gain knowledge and skills required to initiate, develop and implement policies in low resource settings and to conduct and critically evaluate research on Global Mental Health. Excellent preparation for careers in national mental health policy, research and international agencies.
STRUCTURE OVERVIEW
Core programme content
- Fundamentals of Global Mental Health
- Statistics for Epidemiology and Population Health
- Principles of Psychiatric Research & Psychiatric Epidemiology
- Scaling up Services for Mental, Neurological and Substance Abuse Disorders in Low Resource Settings
- Research & Evidence into Practice: Applying the Principles of Global Mental Health.
Indicative non-core content
- Conflict and Health
- Drug, Alcohol and Tobacco Use and Public Health
- Economic Evaluation
- Ethics, Public Health and Human Rights
- Globalisation and Health
- Health Care Evaluation
- Health Promotion Approaches and Methods
- Health Systems
- Measurement in Mental Health
- Mental Health Economic Evaluation
- Primary Health Care: Principles, Applications and Challenges
- Qualitative Research Methods
- Reviewing the Literature
- Social Psychiatry
- Sociological Approaches to Health
- Advanced Statistical Methods in Psychiatric Epidemiology
- Study Design: Writing a Study Proposal
- Systematic Reviews in Mental Health.
FORMAT AND ASSESSMENT
A combination of lectures, group tutorials and discussions, classroom and computer-based practicals, student presentations, and practical workshops. Assessment includes formative exercises, coursework assignments, unseen examinations and a dissertation project.
ACADEMIC ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
General entry advice
At least an upper second-class honours degree of a UK university, or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard, or a registerable qualification in medicine, appropriate to the programme. A background in a mental health-related field is desirable but not essential. Applications with an appropriate technical qualification or equivalent qualification and experience from overseas are also welcomed. Any student who does not meet the minimum entry requirement above but who has relevant professional experience may still be eligible for admission. They should contact the programme leader who can advise on their eligibility to apply.
EU/International students need to meet English Language Requirements: 7.0 overall for IELTS, with at least 7.0 for written English and at least 6.0 for the other skills.
APPLYING TO KING'S
To apply for graduate study at King's you will need to complete our graduate online application form. Applying online makes applying easier and quicker for you, and means we can receive your application faster and more securely.
King's does not normally accept paper copies of the graduate application form as applications must be made online. However, if you are unable to access the online graduate application form, please contact the relevant admissions/School Office at King's for advice.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Selection is generally made on the basis of application and references. Your application will be assessed by two academics. You are welcome to contact the Programme Leader to arrange a site visit.
PERSONAL STATEMENT & SUPPORTING INFORMATION
Please ensure you pay careful attention to the content of your personal statement. We do not normally invite applicants for interview and so the clarity and relevance of the information you provide in your personal statement is of considerable importance to us. In particular, we would like you to describe your academic background and any relevant clinical or research interests, your reasons for applying to our particular postgraduate programme and what you hope to gain from the training we offer, and how you intend to use the knowledge and skills you acquire to further your clinical or research ambitions.
FUNDING
We are pleased to announce that Janssen Phamaceutica has made a gift in support of the MSc in Global Mental Health. Beginning in the 2013-4 academic year, the Centre for Global Mental Health will award up to three full Janssen Phamaceutica Scholarships a year to successful applicants. A strong preference will be given to applicants who are from or who work in low- and middle-income countries. For details of how to apply for funding, please visit:
http://www.kcl.ac.uk/graduate/funding/database/index.php?action=view&id=489
Student profiles
Global Mental Health MSc
My background is in medical anthropology, a field that generates a lot of criticism of global health agendas in general, and of global mental health in particular. I wanted to understand this debate better, but not simply from the anthropological perspective. I saw that faculty at the IoP and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine were working cross-disciplinarily to channel academic critiques into better service delivery, and I wanted the opportunity to learn from them.
The Global Mental Health MSc is the only course in the world of its kind, and having the opportunity to be a part of the inaugural class has been wonderful. It has attracted an amazing cross-section of students from very different backgrounds, and we learn from each other almost as much as we learn from our professors. I think it's that spirit of collaboration that's the best thing about the course.
When I graduate, I plan to experience in mental health services research, preferably focusing on community mental health in West Africa, and then pursue a PhD in anthropology.
Staff profiles
Global Mental Health MScOne of the reasons I moved to London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine was because of the opportunity to create an MSc in Global Mental Health.
Despite increasing amounts of evidence of the burden of mental illnesses and the comparative lack of mental health services in low and middle income countries, the topic of Global Mental Health has not been taken up by academic public health institutions. For that reason, the School and King's College London Institute of Psychiatry have joined forces and will, in September 2012, launch the first residential taught course MSc in Global Mental Health.
The establishment of the course represents a major step toward creating a cohort of experts and practitioners who have the skills necessary to address the enormous challenge of improving the lives of those who live with mental illnesses. In addition, the course will offer students the opportunity to study and work with many of the leading academics and researchers in the field.
This is an exciting time in the field of Global Mental Health and I am certain that the creation of the MSc will prove to be a milestone.
Global Mental Health MSc
Melanie Abas is a clinical senior lecturer in psychiatry now based at King's College, London Institute of Psychiatry who has lived in Africa and in New Zealand working in mental health epidemiology, teaching and policy. She works with partners in universities, ministries of health and NGOs in several countries on mental health education, on capacity building in task-sharing interventions for common mental disorders, and on research.
Global Mental Health MSc
Graham Thornicroft is professor of community psychiatry at the Institute of Psychiatry and King's College London and conducts research related to (i) cost effectiveness of community mental health service interventions, (ii) stigma and discrimination related to mental illness, and (iii) global mental health.