Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

Social workers need knowledge and skill to support their understanding and capacity to intervene and/or support individuals, families, groups and communities affected by mental illness or disorder. While social workers across the range of practice fields require this knowledge and these skills, those working in agencies that provide treatment for mental illness and alcohol and drug misuse need higher capabilities. Social work practice is concerned with the social context and social consequences of mental illness and disorder, and the promotion of mental health. The course content builds on knowledge of human development, behaviour and emotion across the lifespan.

Aims

This unit aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills required of a beginning practitioners, specifically to identify, understand and appreciate mental health issues and practice.

Objectives

On successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

1. articulate a sound knowledge of the mental health policy and service structures at state and federal levels (GV1, 1.6);


2. demonstrate sound knowledge of the bio-psycho-social aspects of common mental health conditions across the lifespan, inclusive of clinical presentation, causes, prevention, treatment and recovery/community integration (GV1, 1.7);


3. demonstrate an understanding of survivor/carer perspectives of mental health issues, and knowledge of the effects of stigma and discrimination on outcomes (GV 1, 1.2, 1.5; GV2 2.5); and


4. understand and apply the AASW Practice Principles for Mental Health Social Workers to practice (GV1, 1.1)

AASW Practice Standards: 1.1, 1.6, 1.8, 2.1, 4.1, 6.4, 6.5
AASW Accreditation Standards: 2.1, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 3.1, 4.4.4, 4.1.3, 4.1.4, 4.1.5, 4.1.6, 4.2.2, Addendum 2 mental health

Content

The unit provides essential knowledge on the nature of mental illness and health, the policy frameworks shaping health services and the professional roles and responsibilities of social workers in this field. Topics include:

• Mental Health Policy and its implementation - influence on service structures and standards


• Common mental illnesses/disorders/presentations across the lifespan - from infancy to geriatrics


• Diagnostic formulation, treatment planning and recovery planning


• Survivor/Carer issues - from stigmatisation to empowerment

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

This unit utilises a lecture/tutorial format that enables students to acquire specific knowledge and to utilise this in analysing particular case scenarios involving mental health issues and social work practice. Students are encouraged to think critically about other medical interventions to mental illness and the specific roles and approaches that social work practitioners undertake. The specific unit teaching and learning structure and approaches includes:

• 2 hour Lecture


• 1 hour Tutorial - discussion of journal articles, case scenarios and other resources to link theory and practice


• A wide variety of relevant readings on CMD


• A range of lecture materials including video material, and other resources located on Blackboard will be provided.

Assessment

This is a core subject of the course and in order to meet the accreditation requirements of the Australian Association of Social Workers' Mental Health Curriculum two pieces of assessment have been set to provide guidance and support for student learning in this complex area. Attendance at tutorial discussions supported by the continuous development of a tutorial portfolio is a significant strategy in assisting students to link theory with practice, and consider the dilemmas of practice in the mental health field.

The two pieces of assessment for this unit including a short answer take home exam, and a final major essay of 2000 words, which build upon student learning over the semester to enable students to meet the unit aims and learning outcomes. In this way students acquire specific knowledge and then demonstrate contextually appropriate application of this to specific social work mental health practice.There will be written feedback following assessment and dialogue throughout the semester that enables formative learning to occur.

Assessment name: Mid-Semester Exam
Description: Short-answer take home exam.
Relates to objectives: 1 and 2
Weight: 50%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Mid-semester

Assessment name: Essay
Description: Major 2000 word essay on social work principles and strategies for practice in respect of mental health issues.
Relates to objectives: 2, 3 and 4
Weight: 50%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End-semester

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

Bland, R., Renouf, N. & Tullgren, A. (2009). Social work practice in mental health: An introduction. Sydney: Allen & Unwin.

Walker, J. & Crawford, K. (2010). Social Work and Human Development (3rd ed.). Exeter: Learning Matters Ltd.

Risk assessment statement

There are no unusual risk management issues in this unit, although the subject matter may entail some personal discomfort for those students who have had prior personal experiences of mental illness. These students are encouraged to refer any concerns to the Unit Coordinator.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 14-May-2012