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LocationDomesticInternational
SCU Online

Unit description

Explores the experience of mental health crisis, psychiatric emergencies, and mental health related problems which require an acute response. Learners will critically explore models of crisis intervention, medical and other responses to resolve acute mental health problems. Learners will critically explore the concept of risk, risk assessment and management as applied to acute mental health care. The use of coercion and restrictive practices will be examined and learners will demonstrate an applied and critical understanding of the legal, policy and ethical frameworks which underpin contemporary acute mental health practice.

Unit content

  • Ethics and mental health law
  • Manifestations of psychosocial crisis and acute mental health problems
  • Engaging with people in crisis and in acute distress
  • Principles of crisis assessment, risk assessment, responding to dysregulated behaviour and engagement with people experiencing acute distress or a psychiatric emergency
  • Trauma-informed care and treatment of trauma in acute mental health settings

Learning outcomes

Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:
1critique the legislative and ethical frameworks which underpin the provision of acute mental health care
2critically consider and describe the aetiology, manifestations and most effective response to acute mental health crisis , psychiatric emergencies and related problems
3describe and critique principles of crisis intervention and best practice to engage with people in acute distress, manage risk and collaboratively plan acute care and follow-up
4collaboratively construct trauma-informed and recovery focused care plans to effectively address mental health crisis and acute mental health problems

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. critique the legislative and ethical frameworks which underpin the provision of acute mental health care
  2. critically consider and describe the aetiology, manifestations and most effective response to acute mental health crisis , psychiatric emergencies and related problems
  3. describe and critique principles of crisis intervention and best practice to engage with people in acute distress, manage risk and collaboratively plan acute care and follow-up
  4. collaboratively construct trauma-informed and recovery focused care plans to effectively address mental health crisis and acute mental health problems

Prescribed Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts
  • No prescribed texts.
Prescribed Resources/Equipment
  • No prescribed resources/equipment.
Prescribed Learning Resources may change in future Teaching Periods

Teaching and assessment

Teaching method
Structured online learning (6 weeks)
Assessment
Debate10%
Critical review45%
Case study45%
Notice

Intensive offerings may or may not be scheduled in every teaching period. Please refer to the timetable for further details.

Southern Cross University employs different teaching methods within units to provide students with the flexibility to choose the mode of learning that best suits them. SCU academics strive to use the latest approaches and, as a result, the learning modes and materials may change. The most current information regarding a unit will be provided to enrolled students at the beginning of the teaching period.

Fee information

Domestic

Commonwealth Supported courses
For information regarding Student Contribution Amounts please visit the Student Contribution Amounts.

Fee paying courses
For postgraduate or undergraduate full fee paying courses please check Domestic Postgraduate Fees OR Domestic Undergraduate Fees

International

Please check the international course and fee list to determine the relevant fees.

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