Course description

Common mental health problems, including anxiety and depression, account for one-third of all primary care consultations in the UK. The impact of these on individuals, families, communities and healthcare resources is recognised at a global level.

Our part-time MSc in Primary Mental Health Care (a pathway of the Advanced Practice Interventions for Mental Health (APIMH) programme) aims to equip primary care professionals with the knowledge and skills to improve services for these individuals.

A key strategy to address current and future challenges of this immense area of need is to equip those working in primary care in both existing and new roles with relevant knowledge and skills to increase access to and deliver effective services through evidence-based, innovative approaches.

Our course is directly relevant to clinical practice and uses a bio-psychosocial framework so you can develop knowledge and skills in evidence-based interventions delivered through a range of methods (eg face-to-face, telephone, computerised).

You will learn how to offer high-quality, evidence-based interventions and contribute to service developments that promote socially inclusive mental health care for individuals, families and communities.

The first year of the pathway (PGCert) meets the national competencies for IAPT Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners (PWPs) and is a mandatory requirement, funded through an NHS contract, for newly appointed PWPs.

Please note: the PGCert can also be completed as a graduate certificate and also meets national competencies for becoming a psychological Wellbeing Practitioner. Please contact us about completing the qualification at graduate level.

Aims

The course aims to equip you with the advanced knowledge and skills necessary to deliver patient-focused, low intensity interventions outlined in the National Institute of Clinical Excellence's guidelines for people experiencing common mental health problems (PGCert), as well as contribute to innovations and developments in mental health care and service delivery (PGDip/MSc).

Teaching and learning

You will participate in a range of teaching and learning methods, including lectures, small group work, student-led seminars, problem-based learning scenarios, online learning and clinical simulations.

There is a strong emphasis on skills development through the use of role play, experiential exercises and analysis. Supervised practice and clinical hours are essential to achieve practical skills outcomes for the course.

In addition, you will undertake independent study to further develop and consolidate your learning. All pathways involve sessions by users and/or carers who are seen as essential contributors to student learning as experts by experience.

Career opportunities

This course is for trainee Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners (as part of the 'Increasing Access to Psychological Therapies' (IAPT) initiative) who are employed in the NHS in Greater Manchester, as well as other statutory/voluntary services that have been commissioned to provide an IAPT Primary Mental Health Care Service.

Students can also exit with PGDip awards.