Social Action and Mental Health
New School for Social Research: Psychology
CRN: 4066
Credits: 3
Traditional psychology has often upheld systems of oppression rather than challenged them. This course critically examines the historical and contemporary intersections of psychology, political movements, and social control, exposing the ways mental health practices have been used to pathologize resistance and maintain inequity. Through an experiential and participatory approach, students will engage in critical dialogue, self-reflection, and collective learning to explore anti-oppression frameworks, liberatory psychology, and organizing principles. We will ask: How can we decolonize and politicize our work in mental health? How do we move beyond harm reduction to actively support liberation? Drawing from abolitionist thought, healing justice, and organizing principles, students will develop practical skills to integrate activism into their clinical, academic, research and community-based work. By the end of the course, students will be equipped not just to do less harm—but to do good, fostering collective care, resistance, and transformative healing. *Open to MA; BA/MA. BA students may register with permission from the instructor. Hybrid format with in-person and online meeting sessions.
College: New School for Social Research (GF)
Department: Psychology (PSY)
Campus: New York City (GV)
Course Format: Seminar (R)
Modality: In-Person
Max Enrollment: 35
Add/Drop Deadline: June 16, 2025 (Monday)
Online Withdrawal Deadline: July 21, 2025 (Monday)
Seats Available: Yes
Status: Open*
* Status information is updated every few minutes. The status of this course may have changed since the last update. Open seats may have restrictions that will prevent some students from registering. Updated: 9:46pm EDT 6/5/2025