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LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Online

Unit description

Develops an understanding of health and wellbeing across the lifespan particularly with reference to mental health. Explores the potential of social work practice with people of different ages, health conditions and disabilities. Focuses on social work practice with people experiencing mental health issues and strategies for promoting mental health in diverse communities.  

Unit content

  1. Constructions of health and illness
  2. Explanatory frameworks of mental distress
  3. Fostering well-being
  4. Mental health social work
  5. Practising social work in this field I
  6. Practising social work in this field II

 

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:
1explain dominant discourses and constructions of health and illness, including mental distress, acknowledging the diverse lived experiences of people who live with mental distress and their families and friends
2explain the mental health service system and identify how legislation and policy influence the theoretical frameworks and practices related to mental health practice
3critically analyse the potential and scope of social work practice in building resilience and facilitating recovery with respect to health and wellbeing across the lifespan particularly with reference to mental health
4demonstrate social work practice skills in assessing and working with people with mental health needs and their partners, family members and friends.

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

  1. explain dominant discourses and constructions of health and illness, including mental distress, acknowledging the diverse lived experiences of people who live with mental distress and their families and friends
  2. explain the mental health service system and identify how legislation and policy influence the theoretical frameworks and practices related to mental health practice
  3. critically analyse the potential and scope of social work practice in building resilience and facilitating recovery with respect to health and wellbeing across the lifespan particularly with reference to mental health
  4. demonstrate social work practice skills in assessing and working with people with mental health needs and their partners, family members and friends.

Prescribed Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts
  • Bland, R, Renouf, N & Tullgren, A, 2021, Social Work Practice in Mental Health, 3rd edn, Allen & Unwin, Crows Nest, NSW. ISBN: 9781743314753.
Prescribed Resources/Equipment
  • No prescribed resources/equipment.
Prescribed Learning Resources may change in future Teaching Periods

Teaching and assessment

Teaching method
Seminar 7 x 3.5 hour seminars (Scheduled throughout the term)
Assessment
Essay40%
Clinical skills60%
ParticipationSR

Teaching method
Residential 7 hours x 3.5 days (Once during term)
Assessment
Essay40%
Clinical skills60%
ParticipationSR
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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