MHST 631: Health Promotion 1 Foundation-Final Course Reflection

MHST 631 is the third course I have completed in Athabasca University’s Master of Health Studies program, and it has been a rewarding experience. I thoroughly enjoyed engaging with the course materials and learning activities, which have deepened my understanding of modern health promotion and enhanced my professional development. In this blog post, I will reflect on some of the key takeaways that have had a lasting impact on me.

Firstly, the course discussions with my peers were very impactful and enriched my learning experience in relation to health promotion. From the introductions in Unit 1, I was able to gain a deeper appreciation for my classmates’ diverse backgrounds and perspectives. This understanding helped me engage in discussions on a more meaningful level. The instructor’s contributions to the discussion forums, especially the grammatical feedback and insightful learning prompts, were also valuable. These helped me improve the quality of my forum submissions as the course progressed.

One of the most resonant activities for me was the development of our positionality statements. This exercise encouraged us to explore our own privilege within the context of health promotion, prompting deep self-reflection. The forum discussions that followed provided invaluable insights into how my peers view their own positions and blind spots, which in turn sparked moments of personal growth. As the course went on, reading my peers' perspectives on the material further enriched my learning and helped me appreciate the diversity of thought within our virtual classroom.

A particularly meaningful moment came when I contributed to the Unit 5 "Setting Priorities" forum. In this post, I presented a plan to address the mental health needs of Indigenous children in the child welfare system. I utilized the Culture is Healing Indigenous Youth Mental Health Framework (Indigenous Circle of Family Services Canada, 2024) to create a comprehensive three-year plan, which later became the foundation for Assignment 3. Through this activity, I learned that health promotion is not just about creating top-down strategies but about working collaboratively with stakeholders to design and implement solutions that are grounded in their knowledge, needs, and worldview.

The lessons I have gained from this course will continue to shape my studies and professional practice, particularly in my work within the Alberta child welfare system. The collaborative learning environment deepened my understanding of the course material and also equipped me with new tools and perspectives that I can apply moving forward. I am excited to continue my journey in the MHST program and look forward to the next course ahead.

Reference

Indigenous Circle of Family Services Canada. (2024). Our children, our way: Indigenous child and youth mental wellness framework (Version 1.0). Indigenous Circle of Family Services Canada. https://ourchildrenourway.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/62369-ICFSC_ICYMW-Framework-V1R0-F1-WEB.pdf