Unit snapshot

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

Unit description

Aims to equip learner's with the knowledge and skills to reduce the life expectancy disparity between people diagnosed and treated for mental health problems and the general population. Learners will develop capabilities to assist people address their holistic needs and promote recovery and wellbeing. This includes consideration of sexual health, diet and nutrition, activity and exercise, and addressing modifiable risk factors for disease highly prevalent in groups who access mental health services. The relationship between physical health and mental health will be examined and learners will explore guidelines for best practice in relation to physical health and lifestyle advice for a range of mental disorders including eating disorders. The effects of medication as they impact on physical health will be critically examined and learner's will consider strategies to address iatrogenic harms of treatment and promote recovery.

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 physical wellbeing of mental health service users
  • Modifiable risk factors for disease including smoking, alcohol and drug use, sedentary lifestyle, smoking and poor diet
  • Barriers to achieving healthy lifestyles for service users including broad determinants of health, poverty, homelessness, stigma, the impact of symptoms and the effects of treatments
  • The effects of pharmacological treatments on the body, sexual functioning, adverse effects, drug induced psychiatric emergencies, the impact of smoking on drug metabolism and cardio-metabolic risks such as metabolic syndrome
  • Nutrition, and exercise as treatments to address mental health problems and enhance wellbeing
  • Addressing the sexual health needs of mental health service users 
  • The aetiology and treatment of eating disorders
Image
A female health professional in a business suit engages in conversation with a man, both appearing professional and focused on the discussion.

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:

  • Critically analyse the physical health status of people with mental health related problems and recommend evidence based solutions to enhance holistic wellbeing, address physical health problems and prevent chronic disease
  • Critically explore the impacts of commonly used pharmacological treatments on the physical health of service users, identify risks, recognise adverse effects, common interactions, and recommend appropriate responses to prevent harm and enhance wellbeing
  • Design and communicate assessment, care planning and referral practices to collaboratively address the physical and sexual health needs of mental health service users
  • Create strategies to effectively support the mental health and physical needs of people undergoing treatment for physical health problems including eating disorders

Teaching and assessment

Teaching method
Structured online learning

Assessment
Discussion board: 10%
Essay: 45%
Report: 45%

Image
A doctor and a male MBA Health Services Management student in a suit examining a tablet together, engaged in a discussion about patient information or medical data

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.

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