UNC Psychiatry Philosophy and Mental Health Program
The Psychiatry, Philosophy and Mental Health Program (PPMH) is based in the UNC Department of Psychiatry. PPMH has been functioning as an established reading and research group in the Department of Psychiatry for over a decade. We now have an expanded focus and mission. We aim to promote philosophical reflection and conversations that will enrich training, education and research in mental and behavioral health care and services at UNC and beyond.
Education
Our Directors and Associates provide instruction on topics at the intersection of Psychiatry, Philosophy and Mental/Behavioral Health in the form of courses, class lectures, and presentations in the UNC Department of Psychiatry, the UNC School of Medicine, the UNC Health System, the UNC Center for Bioethics. Our educational focus is on medical students and trainees in the Department of Psychiatry. We have also taught courses and given presentations on ethical issues in behavioral and mental health for professional organizations such as the NC Child Treatment Program and NC AHEC (Area Health Education Centers). Check out our “Events” tab for a list of upcoming educational events.
Research
We are pleased to report that two of our Resident Associates will be presenting their philosophical work at National Conferences this year.
- Dr. Nick Ma is presenting “In Defense of Precision Psychiatry” at the 24th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Bioethics and Humanities.
- Dr. Jamie Knowles is presenting “Justifying Coercion in Psychiatric Care” at the 53rd Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law
- Daniel Moseley and Christina Murray (2022) “Biomedical Technology and the Ethics of Enhancement” in Technology Ethics: A Philosophical Introduction and Readings, Edited by Gregory Robson and Jonathan Tsou. Routledge: 252-260.
Contact
For any questions, contact William Smith, MD, PhD