Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to define mindfulness, describe its benefits for physical mental health, critically evaluate related literature, and perform mindfulness exercises.

This course provides an overview of mental health services and policy by exploring the complex and dynamic relationship between general health, mental health, and public health in the United States. Why, given the frequent concurrence of these types of conditions, are the systems that treat them so far apart? What are the implications of this gap for improving outcomes for people with mental health conditions?

Mental and behavioral health affect all members of society and all aspects of life. It is estimated that 1 in 4 adults in the US suffer from a mental or behavioral disorder in a given year, and mental and neurological disorders reflect many of the top causes of disability worldwide. Unfortunately, suicide is among the leading causes of death for adolescents and emerging adults in the US. Further, physical health challenges can lead to mental health challenges, and vice versa. Thus, it is critical that approaches to public health are informed by public mental health. This course will cover questions of prevalence, specific communities affected, causal frameworks, prevention and treatment intervention strategies, and services and policy considerations, through a public health frame with emphasis on a life course perspective and health equity.

Students critically explore what prevention and promotion mean for mental and behavioral disorders and mental health across the life course and at different levels of the social ecological model (from the individual to policies). Students also evaluate different approaches for preventing mental and behavioral disorders, across the three stages of prevention, and for promoting mental health.

The Capstone seminars allow students to complete an individual project that allows them to integrate and apply knowledge, concepts, and skills learned in BSHES coursework to a topic of high public health relevance. Students can choose to take a Capstone course in Health Equity or Grant Writing. Students undertake an independent project that will result in a final 30-50 page paper and an oral presentation.

: Introduces injury as a public health problem. The epidemiology and surveillance, prevention, acute care, and rehabilitation of unintentional and intentional injuries will be discussed, with particular emphasis placed in injury research methodology and injury prevention programs. Case studies will explore the interaction of public policy and epidemiology in the prevention and control of injuries.

The thesis requires the conceptualization, design and implementation of an original project resulting in the preparation of a scholarly document. Organized as a directed study with the thesis chair, students develop and refine research questions, conduct a review and analysis of the public health knowledge base, select a theory or organizing framework, formulate a plan for data collection and an IRB application, and draft the initial three chapters of their project.

An Applied Practice Experience (APE) is a unique opportunity that enables students to apply practical skills and knowledge learned through coursework to a professional public health setting that complements the student's interests and career goals. The APE must be supervised by a Field Supervisor and requires approval from an APE Advisor designated by the student's academic department at RSPH.

This is the foundational course for the Maternal and Child Health Certificate. It covers historical and theoretical underpinnings of maternal and child health problems and programs aimed to reduce morbidity, mortality, and health disparities. Skills in program planning and evaluation are taught through multidisciplinary teams working with academic and field-based faculty in local, state, federal, and nongovernmental agencies. Maternal and child health is defined as a field of public health that addresses underlying forces for these problems, the historical framework for ameliorating those problems, and current programs and policies that have evolved from that historical context. Maternal and child health programs are unique to reproduction and life course development; more common in women, infants, children, or adolescents; more serious in women, infants, children, or adolescents; or have manifestations, risk factors, or interventions that are different in women or during life course development.

Provides the opportunity to pursue a specialized course of study in an area of special interest. Complements rather than replaces or substitutes for course work.