Promoting children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing (5 cr)

Evaluation scale

Pass/Fail

Objective

Purpose of the course

After completing the course, you will be able to promote and support the mental wellbeing of children and young people, identify key protective and stress factors affecting mental health.

Learning outcomes of the course
Ethical competence
Health promotion competence
Counselling and interaction competence and support for self-care

Competence goal of the course

After completing the course you will understand the stages of normal growth and development in children and young people. You will be familiar with the most common mental health disorders in children and young people and recognise their relationship to their wellbeing and that of their families. You will have the skills to support the mental wellbeing of children and young people.

You understand the importance of sexuality and its diversity as part of the overall wellbeing of children and young people. You know how to support the sexual development of children and young people.

You know the main aspects of the service system that promotes the mental wellbeing of children, young people and families and the legislation that governs these services

Content

Normal growth and development of children and young people
Mentalisation and resilience
Common mental disorders in children and young people
Sexual development
Sexuality and gender diversity
Emotional and safety skills and digital safety skills
Service system and legislation

Location and time

The course will take place during the autumn semester of 2025 in the Moodle online learning environment of JAMK University of Applied Sciences.

Materials

Aaltonen, J. 2012. Turvataitoja nuorille - opas sukupuolisen häirinnän ja seksuaalisen väkivallan ehkäisyyn
Kumpulainen, K., Aronen, E., Ebeling, H., Laukkanen, E., Marttunen, M., Puura, K. & Sourander, A. (toim.) 2016. Lastenpsykiatria ja nuorisopsykiatria.
Laitinen, I. & Ollikainen, S (toim.) 2017. Mentalisaatio: teoriasta käytöntöön.
Lajunen, K. Andell, M. & Ylenius-Lehtonen, M. 2022. Tunne- ja turvataitoja lapsille

Additionally, articles can be found in the Moodle online learning environment.

Teaching methods

The course is conducted entirely online in the Moodle learning environment of JAMK University of Applied Sciences. The student independently familiarizes themselves with the course material (written materials, video recordings and podcasts). During the course, the student completes various independent assignments and participates in online discussions.

Exam schedules

The assignments and other tasks for the course must be completed during the course period.

Student workload

The total workload for the course is 135 hours (27 hours x 5 ECTS = 135 hours).
Orientation to the course: 2 hours
Familiarizing with learning materials (written materials, video recordings, videos, podcasts): 70 hours in total
Completing learning assignments (written tasks, online discussions): 50 hours in total
Assessment/feedback: self-assessment, peer feedback, course feedback: 13 hours in total

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

You describe the stages of normal growth and development in children and young people. You know the most common mental health disorders in children and young people. You recognize how different mental health disorders relate to their and their family’s wellbeing. You demonstrate competence in supporting the mental wellbeing of children and young people.

You demonstrate understanding of the importance of sexuality and its diversity as part of the overall wellbeing of children and young people. You demonstrate competence in supporting the sexual development of children and young people.

You have basic knowledge of key aspects of the service system and legislation relating to the mental wellbeing of children, young people, and families.

Further information

Open University of Applied Sciences (Open UAS): 10
CampusOnline: 15
EduJyväskylä: 5 (only for students of the University of Jyväskylä)
Degree students: 10