Massive Open Online Course on “Children’s Mental Health: Rights and Perspectives”

Deadline: 7 November 2023

The MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) on Children’s Mental Health: Rights and Perspectives is free and open to participants (children, young people, families, social workers, health professionals, educators, policy-maker, children’s rights defenders and other members of civil society) from all over the world who currently work, advocate and care for the promotion and protection of children’s mental health.

This MOOC responds to the call by children and young people to understand their mental health as a human right. In particular, it looks into approaches that prioritise and commit to the direct participation of children and young people in decision-making in this area of their lives.

Free certificate of Participation

At the end of the course, participants who have completed all discussions, polls and quizzes will receive a free certificate confirming their participation.

Course Outline

The MOOC runs over 5 weeks and is organised in 3 modules:

Module 1 – Children’s mental health
- Context: why it is important to talk about children’s mental health
- Children’s mental health: a matter of rights
Module 2 – Protecting children’s mental health in times of crisis
- Facing risks in a variety of situations
- Minimising risks and maximising protection
Module 3 – A rights-based approach to children’s mental health
- Children’s rights at the centre of solutions

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, participants will have gained:
- Key information about definitions, methods and practices in the area of children’s mental health
- Robust knowledge on children’s rights principles, standards and practices
- Increased awareness about the connections between children’s mental health and children’s rights
- Clearer understanding – through reference to case study and implementation practices – of the need to adopt a holistic, rights-based approach to children’s mental health
Ultimately, the course is a pathway to:
- Empower children, young people, families, social workers, health professionals, educators, children’s rights defenders, policy-makers and other members of civil society through education on the human rights-based approach to children’s mental health
- Amplify dialogue on the importance of talking and acting on children’s mental health as a matter of rights
- Envisage a roadmap for change, including: how to develop child/adolescent mental health policy and plans; inter-sectoral collaboration; advocacy on children’s mental health

Target Audience

This MOOC is designed for children, young people, families, social workers, health professionals, educators, policy-maker, children’s rights defenders and other members of civil society who currently work, advocate and care for the promotion and protection of children’s mental health.

Methodology

The course encompasses 5 weeks with approximately 25 hours of active learning. It will have video lectures, self-studied case studies and readings, peer-to-peer learning through discussions and webinars as well as knowledge checks with polls and quizzes, all aimed at developing and reinforcing personal critical reflection. It will focus on examples and current debates from different regions and countries in the world.

Details