Unit snapshot

  • Unit type
    PG Coursework Unit
  • Credit points
    12
  • Faculty & College
    Faculty of Health
  • Placement
    No

Unit description

Exposes learners to a critical exploration and practical application of the core contexts of mental health within the Australian health care systems. Contemporary policy issues, core professional values, the self within therapeutic relationships, foundational skills within mental health professional clinical practice that build toward collaborative recovery and evidence-based mental health practice will be covered.

This unit is an integral part of a selection of courses at SCU Online. Each course incorporates this unit into a complete and immersive educational experience. If you're interested in this unit, we highly recommend enrolling in one of the courses listed below.

 

Unit content

  • The history of mental health services, social movements and psychiatric critique
  • The politicisation of mental health and the development of policy
  • An examination of the medical model in contrast with other non orthodox approaches to care such as open dialogue
  • The concept mental health recovery
  • Emotional intelligence, empathy and compassion as foundations for effective helping
  • The therapeutic relationship or alliance 
  • Emotional intelligence, empathy and compassion
  • Formulation as a means of explaining mental health problems
  • Bio-psycho-social-spiritual assessment and formulation 
  • Clinical supervision and reflective practice
Image
A cheerful male mental health student wearing scrubs is seated at a desk, radiating warmth and confidence in his medical environment

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:

  • Analyse and critique the dominant discourses and models of mental health and illness and how these and other formative influences have shaped mental health policy, legislation, professional standards, influenced mental health practice and the experience of care
  • Critically review the concept of the therapeutic alliance or relationship, its essential elements, how it can be developed and maintained, and argue its importance in contributing to collaboratively negotiated outcomes with service users
  • Critically explore the concepts of empathy, compassion and emotional intelligence in the provision of mental health care and how these can be sustained and developed through reflective practice and clinical supervision in order to improve mental health outcomes
  • Construct a clinical / case formulation drawing on psychotherapeutic theory, extant research and clinical reasoning which effectively addresses the holistic needs of the individual and families

Teaching and assessment

Teaching method
Structured online learning

Assessment
Discussion board: 10%
Critical review: 50%
Essay: 40%

Image
A female mental health student in a group of women engaged in conversation while seated in a cozy library, surrounded by books and warm lighting

Study this unit in the following courses

This unit is a fundamental component of the full courses listed below, each designed to equip you with the in-depth knowledge and skills needed to achieve your career goals. To fully benefit from your learning experience and apply it to real-world challenges, engaging with the entire course is essential. Explore the courses that include this unit and take the next step towards your professional success.

Back to top