SOAD9103 Mental Health through the Lifecourse

2018

4.5

13 x 2-hour lectures per semester
5 x 1-hour tutorials per semester

1 Admission into MSWRS-Master of Social Work (Registered Social Worker Entry)
1a Admission into MSWGE-Master of Social Work (Graduate Entry)
1b Admission into MSWQS-Master of Social Work (Qualified Social Worker Entry)
1c Admission into MEDWM-Master of Education (Wellbeing and Positive Mental Health)
1d Admission into MEDWMP-Master of Education (Wellbeing and Positive Mental Health) [1.5 years]
1e Admission into GCEWM-Graduate Certificate in Education (Wellbeing and Positive Mental Health)
Must Satisfy: ((1 or 1a or 1b or 1c or 1d or 1e))

SOAD9053 has been successfully completed

Master of Social Work

This topic brings a lifecourse perspective to the nexus between studies in human psychological development, social policy and social work practice. The topic explores a conceptual and analytical approach to understanding the evidence for how individual lives are patterned over time and the processes by which lives are changed by changing environments, linking this understanding with social work practice alongside individuals, families, groups and communities. The topic explores a range of models for understanding mental health and wellbeing and mental illness with a focus on developing skills which are core to social work practice and mental health. It provides an in depth examination of early intervention and relapse prevention and recovery and rehabilitation approaches currently favoured in Australian mental health services.

This topic aims to:

• Explicate the attitudes and values that are fundamental to mental health social work;
• Explicate theories of human development across a range of social contexts to understandings of mental health, well-being and mental health problems;
• Bring a critical perspective to the history of mental health social work;
• Examine evidence-based practice and its application to mental health social work with clients at different developmental stages;
• Identify patterns of thinking, feeling and action which indicate that a client is experiencing mental health problems, and of relevant contextual factors;
• Critically explore the Diagnostic Statistical Manual 5 and the nature of a mental status examination;
• Provide in-depth examination of early intervention, relapse prevention and recovery and rehabiliation approaches;
• Discuss the legal and ethical parameters of mental health social work treatment with clients and families;
• Enable students to develop skills in interviewing, assessment and report writing with regard to mental health.