Mental Health and Third Age

Learning Outcomes

This course aims to equip students with knowledge related to mental health and the most common mental health problems in older adults as well as risk factors and protective factors. Also, the course aims to acquire skills related to the promotion of the mental health of this population.

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

• Identify basic introductory issues about mental health and mental health problems (epidemiological data, conceptual demarcation, historical evidence).
• Become familiar with the basic diagnostic systems of mental disorders (DSM, ICD) and basic psychological theories of aging.
• Recognize the major categories of mental disorders encountered in older adults, as well as describing diagnostic criteria, psychometric tools, atypical manifestations in older adults, prognosis, and treatment options (psychosocial interventions, psychotherapeutic interventions, and medication options) by diagnostic category.
• Know the concept of mental resilience and identify risk factors and protective factors related to mental health.
• Contribute to mental health promotion programs.
• Identify key issues of differential diagnosis and comorbidities encountered in older adults with regard to mental disorders.
• Identify the scientific field of psychogeriatrics , as it works in Greece and abroad.