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LocationDomesticInternational
SCU Online

Unit description

Explores the provision of mental health care, treatment and support outside of tertiary mental health services. Learners will critically consider how service users from a range of socio-economic backgrounds can access timely treatment and support to address their problems and realise recovery. The funding and service models of non-government organisations, primary care services and private providers will be explored and critiqued. Contemporary ideologies such as 'stepped care' which underpin subsidised care provision through primary health networks, the medicare benefits schedule and the National Disability Insurance Scheme will be explored. Learners will explore how to assist people navigate the system, and what part they may play in providing effective services. Learners will consider the role of 'lived experience' in service development and delivery in the community sector.

Unit content

  • The funding of care and support in the community, primary care and non-government contexts.
  • Consideration of what services are subsidised and gaps in funding and delivery.
  • Exploration of treatment options and recovery focused services and how these are experienced by service users.
  • The notion of 'stepped care' and alternative frameworks and funding arrangements to enable people to receive the most effective treatment or response by the most qualified person or agency in a timely way.
  • Vulnerable or priority groups within the community and how services may be effectively targeted.
  • The role of 'lived experience' of service use and mental distress in service reform and the delivery of care.

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:
1identify and critique the policy context and funding mechanisms which support mental health service and support provision in the community, primary care and non-government organisation sectors
2critically explore the underpinning assumptions and ideology of models of service delivery in the primary care and NGO sector and how these impact on mental health outcomes for service users
3critically review the effectiveness of mental health programmes and community based interventions and prescribe plans of care for vulnerable or priority service user groups
4critically discuss the role of ‘lived experience’ of mental illness and distress in informing policy and practice of mental health care including mutual self-help, peer support and advocacy

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

  1. identify and critique the policy context and funding mechanisms which support mental health service and support provision in the community, primary care and non-government organisation sectors
  2. critically explore the underpinning assumptions and ideology of models of service delivery in the primary care and NGO sector and how these impact on mental health outcomes for service users
  3. critically review the effectiveness of mental health programmes and community based interventions and prescribe plans of care for vulnerable or priority service user groups
  4. critically discuss the role of ‘lived experience’ of mental illness and distress in informing policy and practice of mental health care including mutual self-help, peer support and advocacy

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 wks)
Assessment
Debate20%
Critical review40%
Report40%
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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