Introduction to Public Mental Health

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.

This is an in-person 2-day interactive course that will be offered from June 5-6, 2023 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Rollins School of Public Health. An additional 2-hour virtual session will be scheduled before June 30 based on a mutually agreed upon time for final discussion and course wrap-up.

Who this is for:

Professionals and Emory Alumni, including:

• Researchers who want to explore the integration of mental and physical health.

• Public health practitioners who want to examine best practices for mental health prevention intervention approaches.

• Public health practitioners who want to understand various mental health treatment frameworks at the population level.

• Professionals seeking to understand current issues related to access to mental health services

• Professionals interested in participating in the course will receive a Certificate of Completion from the Rollins School of Public Health.

Lead Faculty

M. Daniele Fallin, PhD

James W. Curran Dean of Public Health

Professor, Epidemiology

Delia Lang, PhD, MPH

Executive Associate Dean for Educational Affairs

Professor, Behavioral, Social, and Health Education Sciences (BSHES)

Guest Lecturers

Don Operario, PhD

Rollins Distinguished Professor and Chair

Behavioral, Social, and Health Education Sciences

Benjamin Druss, MD, MPH

Rosalynn Carter Chair in Mental Health

Professor, Health Policy and Management

Elizabeth Walker, PhD, MPH, MAT

Director of Graduate Studies

Director, Office of Evidence Based Learning

Associate Professor, Behavioral, Social, and Health Education Sciences

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Emory University, Rollins School of Public Health, 1518 Clifton Road Northeast, Atlanta, United States