Unit snapshot

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

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.

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 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
Image
A female mental health student speaking to a group of people with a notepad

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:

  • 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
  • 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
  • Critically review the effectiveness of mental health programmes and community based interventions and prescribe plans of care for vulnerable or priority service user groups
  • 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

Teaching and assessment

Teaching method
Structured online learning

Assessment
Debate: 20%
Critical review: 40%
Report: 40%

Image
A mental health student smiling to a male teenager in an office

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