CET128 Mental Health and Ageing

Course Provider

School of Social Sciences (SSS)

Certification

FlexiMasters

Academic Unit

1.5

Introduction

This course provides students with an overview of the principles, current knowledge and practice of mental health care for older adults. The course will cover the mental health spectrum from normal to pathological ageing, selected mental disorders of late life and the challenges across the disease trajectory.

The course is part of: 
- Graduate Certificate in Health and Ageing
- FlexiMasters in Health and Ageing

 

Download Learning Pathway e-Guide



Course Availability

  • Date(s): 05 to 19 May 2024

    Time: 9:00AM to 5:00PM (5,12 & 19 May 2024)

    Venue: NTU Virtual Learning Environment

    Registration is closed.

1. Examine the physiological and cognitive changes between normal ageing and mental disease states.
2. Name the key protective and risk factors associated with mental functioning.
3. Understand the definition, assessment, diagnosis, treatment of major mental disorders of later life.
4. Describe the current mental health care system in Singapore and the challenges across the care continuum.

Introduction to mental health and older adults
Definitions, significance, determinants, and attitudes of mental health in older adults

The ageing brain
Mental functions of the brain; cellular, neurochemical and cognitive changes in the brain associated with normal ageing

Mental health in later life: risks and protective factors
Key risks and protective factors, mental health promotion and illness prevention interventions

Overview of mental disorders in later life
Classification; definition, epidemiology, and impact of major mental disorders; challenges with assessment and diagnosis

Dementia
Epidemiology; definition; pathophysiology; assessment; care approaches; person-centred management; non-cognitive issues related to dementia; impact of dementia

Depression
Epidemiology; definition; pathophysiology; assessment; management including biological and psychological approaches; suicide risk assessment

Mental care models and services
Care models in Singapore and other countries; strengths and weaknesses, challenges, and future directions

• Experienced ageing care professionals such as nurses and allied health workers

• Career switchers who have a passion in ageing care

• Young graduates who are in the ageing care industry

Standard Course Fee: S$1635.00

SSG Funding Support

 Course fee

Course fee payable after SSG funding, if eligible under various schemes

 

BEFORE funding & GST

AFTER funding & 9% GST

Singapore Citizens (SCs) and Permanent Residents (PRs) (Up to 70% funding)

S$1,500.00

S$490.50

Enhanced Training Support for SMEs (ETSS)

S$190.50

SCs aged ≥ 40 years old
SkillsFuture Mid-career Enhanced Subsidy (MCES)
(Up to 90% funding)

  • Standard course fee is inclusive of GST.
  • NTU/NIE alumni may utilise their $1,600 Alumni Course Credits. Click here for more information.

 

Read more about funding

Dion Lo Zhen Yu

Senior Clinical Psychologist and Deputy Head of Therapy Services of Better Life Psychological Medicine Clinic

Dion strongly believes in a transdiagnostic approach to therapy. He integrates elements from Schema Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in his therapeutic approach. Fluent in both English and Mandarin, he has conducted psychotherapy and assessments in private, hospital and forensic settings. He works well with clients from the young to the old, but has a special interest in working with children and adolescents. In the course of his work, he works well with individuals with a variety of psychological issues, including:

  • Mood disorders
  • Anxiety disorders
  • Obsessive compulsive disorders
  • Psychotic disorders
  • Eating disorders
  • Post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD)
  • Specific phobias
  • Identity issues
  • Personality disorders
  • Family/relationship issues

Dion is also proficient in psychological testing and assessments. He has been conducting psychological assessments since 2012, and is familiar with assessments of intelligence, attention, academic achievement, executive functioning, and motivation.

Dion currently conducts the following psychological assessments for both children and adults in these areas:

  • Cognitive abilities (i.e., IQ test)
  • Attention issues such as ADHD
  • Phonological abilities
  • Reading, writing and arithmetic abilities

Dion is a firm believer of continuing education and is currently a PhD Candidate in Psychology. He is also a sessional lecturer for Evidence Based Practice (Clinical Psychology) in James Cook University (Singapore). Over the past decade, he has been involved in research regarding the following:

  • Aggression
  • ADHD
  • CBT
  • Schema therapy
  • Parental warmth and psychological control
  • Infidelity
  • Traumatic Brain Injury
  • Positive Psychology
  • Personality
  • Basic Psychological Needs
  • Goal Strivings

In recognition of his academic excellence, Dion was awarded the academic medal for his master’s degree in Clinical Psychology. He was also awarded the Golden Key International Honour (Top 15% of university) in 2018. Dion also believes in giving back to his alma mater and has conducted talks for both Hwa Chong Institution and Nanyang Technological University (NTU). He was the Vice President (Psychology) for NTU School of Social Sciences Alumni Association (SSSAA) Executive Committee between 2018 and 2023 and has been appointed the President for NTU SSSAA in June 2023.


Jerlyn Ang Wen Jia

Senior Clinical Psychologist, Better Life Psychological Medicine Clinic

Jerlyn is a registered clinical psychologist with a masters in clinical psychology. Her clinical expertise spans across an extensive range of presenting issues, including but not limited to, depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD), psychotic disorders, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), tic disorders, bipolar disorders, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), somatic disorders, gender dysphoria, relationship difficulties, deliberate self-harm, and suicidal behaviours. Jerlyn is trained in different therapeutic approaches, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. She is eclectic and process-based in her approach.

While Jerlyn has experience working with individuals across the lifespan, she is particularly passionate about working with children, adolescents and their families to help them navigate through life’s challenges. Prior to joining Better Life, Jerlyn served as a clinical psychologist at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH). As part of a multi-disciplinary community mental health team at KKH, she conducted mental health assessments and provided intervention for children and adolescents. She also worked closely with schools and parents whom she understands forms an integral part of the child’s or adolescent’s life. 

Jerlyn is also proficient in administering psychological assessments for cognitive abilities (i.e. IQ test), attention issues (i.e. ADHD), academic achievement (i.e. reading and writing difficulties), and adaptive functioning behaviours (i.e. special school placements). Through her years of experience, Jerlyn advocates for creating a safe and non-judgemental space for clients to work through their difficulties. She believes in empowering her clients by equipping them with skills to live a meaningful and valued life. Jerlyn understands that the needs of every individual are unique and different, and hence takes on a person-centred therapeutic approach. Jerlyn is warm and collaborative, and seeks to journey with her clients and help them move towards their therapeutic goals.  

As a mother of three children, Jerlyn thoroughly enjoys spending time with her children and creating shared experiences with them. She understands the challenges and unpredictability of motherhood, yet appreciates the joy that comes with the responsibility. Jerlyn values connection with people through the different seasons of her life, and hopes that she can journey through life with you too.

 

COURSE TITLE ACADEMIC UNIT
CET125 Perspectives on Ageing1.5
CET126 Ageing and Public Policy 1.5
CET127 Ageing and the End of Life 1.5
CET129 Counselling Older Persons
​1.5
​CET130 Traditional Chinese Medicine for Older Adults ​1.5
​CET131 Research Methods for Ageing ​1.5
CET133 Work, Stress, and Health ​1
​CET134 Religion and Public Health ​1
​CET135 Communicating Complexity Part 1: Tackling communication barriers ​1
​CET136 Communicating Complexity Part 2: Data Visualization​1
​CET137 Communicating Complexity Part 3: Communicating for different audiences​1
​CET138 Big Data and Computational Social Science1
​CET139 Qualitative interviewing ​1
​CET140 Applied Research Methods in Social Sciences ​1

 

Listed courses are:

  • Credit-bearing and stackable to Graduate Certificate in Health and Ageing (total 9AUs) and FlexiMasters in Health and Ageing (total 15AUs)
  • SSG funded and SkillsFuture Credit approved