AOS+2++Mental+Health

=Unit 4= = **AREA OF STUDY 2 ** = **Mental Health **  What does mental health mean? How can ‘normality’ be defined? Is feeling stressed ‘normal’? What is the relationship between mental health and illness? How can mental wellbeing be enhanced?  Students use a biopsychosocial framework to investigate how biological, psychological and sociocultural factors interact to contribute to the development of an individual’s mental functioning and mental health. They identify the mechanisms underpinning the range of usual human emotions such as anxiety, stress, anger, sadness and happiness. Students learn to distinguish between normal or universal experiences such as stress, anxiety and moodiness, and chronic conditions such as addiction, depression, anxiety and phobias which fall into the category of mental illness or psychological disorder.  The relationship between stress and mental health is investigated together with the strategies for coping with stress.  Students apply a biopsychosocial framework to the study of simple phobia and a selected mental disorder. They identify protective and risk factors, coping mechanisms and the principles of how treatments work. Students analyse how biological, psychological and socio-cultural factors interact to contribute to the development and treatment of these disorders.  As students examine classic and contemporary studies, they evaluate the research methodologies used and consider associated ethical issues.  **Outcome 2 ** On completion of this unit the student should be able to differentiate between mental health and mental illness, and use a biopsychosocial framework to explain the causes and management of stress, simple phobia and a selected mental disorder.