MHSC8023 Co-morbid Mental Health Substance Abuse Disorders

2012

4.5

1 x 3-hour lecture weekly
1 x 1-day workshop once-only
1 x 3-day intensive workshop per semester
1 x 6-hour independent study weekly
1 x 2-hour on-line exercises weekly

1 Admission into GCHMS-Graduate Certificate in Health (Mental Health Sciences)
1a Admission into GDPMHS-Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Sciences
1b Admission into MMHS-Master of Mental Health Sciences
1c Admission into GDPMHN-Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Nursing
1d Admission into MMHNCW-Master of Mental Health Nursing (Coursework)
Must Satisfy: ((1 or 1a or 1b or 1c or 1d))

MHSC8011 has been successfully completed

PLEASE NOTE: This topic, MHSC8023, requires students to complete an assessment assignment that assumes they are working in a clinical setting. If there is any question as to whether a student might not be able to complete such an assignment, they should contact the topic coordinator before enrolling.

Assignments

This topic provides students with an understanding and knowledge of comorbid mental health and substance use disorders. Such knowledge includes: epidemiology & social cost of comorbid disorders, psychopharmacology of psychoactive drugs, aetiology and models of comorbidity, conceptual issues surrounding assessment and diagnosis, motivational interviewing principles, treatment models, and issues surrounding the implementation of comorbid treatment. Students will gain skills in the diagnosis and assessment of comorbid disorders. This includes the identification of key DSM-IV characteristics of common psychiatric & substance use disorders, differential diagnosis, case conceptualisation, assessment and diagnostic tools, & distinguishing between comorbid symptoms and secondary effects, & the measurement of therapeutic change. Skills will also be developed in the evidence-based treatment of clients with comorbid disorders, based on assessment & case conceptualisation. This will include developing an intervention plan that takes into account the client's psychiatric and substance use disorders, & their functional, social & environmental needs.

The aims of this topic are to:

1. Gain detailed knowledge of the principles and issues relevant to co morbid mental health and substance use disorders

2. Gain an understanding of the key theoretical issues relating to assessment and diagnosis of co morbid disorders, and to demonstrate skills in the application and interpretation of relevant assessment processes

3. Develop skills in the evidence-based treatment of co morbid disorders, based on an individualised case conceptualisation

4. Gain an understanding of the issues surrounding the implementation of co morbidity treatment in a variety of health settings.

Students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate and apply knowledge and key principles in the assessment and treatment of clients with co morbid disorders.

2. Demonstrate competency using measurement tools for the assessment of psychiatric and substance use symptomatology.

3. Demonstrate competency in the case management, treatment, and symptom change measurement of clients with co morbid disorders.

4. Display an informed awareness of a range of management issues relating to the implementation of evidence-based treatment of co morbid disorders.