Mental Health and Mental Wellbeing

Course aim

To analyse the particular contribution of social work to mental health and wellbeing in the community.

Course content

This course introduces key concepts in mental health for social workers and human service workers. Students will develop a sound knowledge of the main mental health problems experienced by individuals, historical perspectives on mental health, the nature of the mental health system, mental health policy, legal aspects of mental health, and the role of social workers and human service workers in this context. The course specifically explores stigma and the social context of mental health and wellbeing, paying particular attention to the role of human service workers in bringing a social understanding of mental health and evidence-based approach to their practice. Students will analyse the distinction between mental health and mental illness, mental health interventions including primary health care and recovery paradigm in mental health practice, lived experiences of clients, social work purpose, practice and roles in mental health, and practice in multidisciplinary contexts.

Textbook(s)

Bland, R, Renouf, N & Tullgren 2015, Social work practice in mental health: an introduction, Allen and Unwin, Crows Nest

Prerequisite(s)

The listed prerequisite or approval of the Course Coordinator.

Corequisite(s)

Nil

Teaching method

Note: These components may or may not be scheduled in every study period. Please refer to the timetable for further details.

Assessment

Case study, Learning log/Journal

Fees

EFTSL*: 0.125
Commonwealth Supported program (Band 2)
To determine the fee for this course as part of a Commonwealth Supported program, go to:
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Fee-paying program for domestic and international students
International students and students undertaking this course as part of a postgraduate fee paying program must refer to the relevant program home page to determine the cost for undertaking this course.

Non-award enrolment
Non-award tuition fees are set by the university. To determine the cost of this course, go to:
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Not all courses are available on all of the above bases, and students must check to ensure that they are permitted to enrol in a particular course.

* Equivalent Full Time Study Load. Please note: all EFTSL values are published and calculated at ten decimal places. Values are displayed to three decimal places for ease of interpretation.