Unit rationale, description and aim
A knowledge of mental health and wellbeing is considered essential for social work practice across a wide range of health and welfare settings. This unit provides students with foundational knowledge of contemporary concepts in mental health, and wellbeing, acknowledging that these concepts are ubiquitous to all social work service settings, but have particular significance in mental health service systems. The aim of this unit is to provide students with the opportunity to explore and critically analyse practice approaches relevant to the field of mental health and wellbeing, preparing graduates for person centred, evidence informed social work practice
Learning outcomes
To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.
Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.
Explore the graduate capabilities.
Understand the role of historical social movements...
Learning Outcome 01
Distinguish the roles and responsibilities of soci...
Learning Outcome 02
Critically evaluate evidence to inform mental heal...
Learning Outcome 03
Apply knowledge and skills in mental health assess...
Learning Outcome 04
Content
Topics will include:
Understandings of mental health and well being
- conceptions of mental health
- historical narratives of mental illness
- cultural perspectives on wellbeing and illness
- social determinants of well being
- national and state mental health policy and legislation
- critical analysis of current policies and implications for practice
Diagnosis, classification systems and treatment modalities
- ‘low’ and ‘high’ prevalence disorders such as schizophrenia, depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, personality disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder
- cognitive behaviour therapy
- dialectical behaviour therapy
The lived experience of mental health
- stigma
- powerlessness
- marginality and disadvantage
- recovery
Socio-political influences on mental health and wellbeing
- age
- gender
- ethnicity
- socioeconomic status
- geographical location
Mental health and wellbeing in specific populations
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
- culturally and linguistically diverse people
- migrants and refugees
- young people
- older people
Contemporary approaches to mental health care
- recovery
- working in partnership with consumers and families
- prevention and early intervention
Social work with people with mental health problems
- evidence informed practice
- recovery and relapse
- consumer rights and perspectives
- trauma informed approaches
Skills and values in assessment
- social work assessment (bio-psycho-social)
- assessing risk
- reflection on personal and professional values
- ethical dilemmas in practice
Social work interventions
- recovery orientated approaches
- crisis intervention
- case management
- family work
Service provision
- multi, inter and transdisciplinary teamwork
- mental health care system in Australia
- e-mental health and telehealth
- Lived Experience workforce
Assessment strategy and rationale
The unit has three assessment tasks designed to test different learning outcomes for the unit. There is a focus on engaging with the evidence and applying knowledge for practice situations.
- Assessment Task 1 is a written essay covering basic core concepts required for social work in mental health.
- Assessment Task 2 is a presentation focused on individual, social and structural responses to mental health practice. This allows students a wide range of choice and a capacity to share ideas and knowledge from the broader mental health research literature.
- Assessment Task 3 is a written task that asks students to demonstrate their capacity to gather, organise and evaluate information into an assessment framework. This tests the student's skills in assessment, observation, analysis, and professional writing. Students are then required to connect their assessment with theoretical concepts in mental health, particularly recovery theory.
To pass this unit, students must demonstrate achievement of every unit learning outcome and obtain a minimum mark of 50% in graded units.
Overview of assessments
Assessment 1: Written Essay: Enables students’ t...
Assessment 1: Written Essay: Enables students’ to demonstrate foundational understanding of mental health and wellbeing
20%
Assessment 2: Presentation: Enables students to ...
Assessment 2: Presentation: Enables students to critically analyse individual, social and structural responses to mental health practice
30%
Assessment 3: Case study report and analysis: To...
Assessment 3: Case study report and analysis: To enable students' to integrate mental health knowledge and skills for practice with individuals and families and communities from diverse contexts.
50%
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
This unit involves 150 hours of learning, and is designed to equip students with foundational knowledge and practical skills for social work practice in mental health and beyond. The unit uses a combination of online resources and case-based learning activities to explore contemporary approaches to mental health, and wellbeing. Students will engage with key concepts and develop critical skills through interactive learning strategies that support culturally responsive and ethical practice.
ON CAMPUS:
Delivered in a multi-mode format, this unit includes weekly tutorials supported by online mini-lecture recordings and asynchronous activities that build foundational knowledge of key mental health concepts. Tutorials incorporate collaborative, small-group learning, role play, and scenario-based exercises to explore social work practice in mental health contexts. These sessions promote the development of critical thinking and professional skills for practice in diverse settings.
ACU ONLINE:
The online offering is supported by self-paced modules, readings, webinars, discussion forums, and assessments. Students engage in reflective and collaborative learning through discussion forums and chat rooms, focusing on case-based approaches to practice. This flexible and inclusive model supports the development of critical thinking and professional skills for effective social work in diverse settings.
Graduate Attributes and the Practice Standards (ASWEAS, 2024)
This Unit has been mapped to the ACU Graduate Capabilities and the Graduate Attributes and the Practice Standards (ASWEAS, 2024) . The following table sets out the broad relationship between the Learning Outcomes, Graduate Attributes and the Graduate Attributes and the Practice Standards (ASWEAS, 2024).
Relating to
Conduct themselves according to the values, principles and guidelines of the AASW
Code of Ethics 2020
Relevant learning outcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Relating to
Recognise and take responsibility for what is within their power, control or
management
Relevant learning outcomeLO2
Relating to
Can articulate the ethics underpinning their approach to decisions and actions
Relevant learning outcomeLO2
Relating to
Practice in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to support
their priorities and aspirations
Relevant learning outcomeLO2, LO4
Relating to
Respect the knowledge and lived experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
peoples, and privilege their voices
Relevant learning outcomeLO2, LO4
Relating to
Can recognise and draw upon the cultural knowledge, experience, and wisdom
provided by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to guide approaches to
practice
Relevant learning outcomeLO4
Relating to
Adopt appropriate cultural and communication protocols
Relevant learning outcomeLO4
Relating to
Advocate for human rights and practice in ways that aim to achieve access, equity, participation and legal protection for all
Relevant learning outcomeLO1
Relating to
Ensure that the rights of the people they work with are promoted, protected, and
upheld
Relevant learning outcomeLO1
Relating to
Support action to enable people to live a life free of abuse, neglect, exploitation and
violence
Relevant learning outcomeLO1, LO3
Relating to
Promote public policy initiatives aimed at eliminating structural and systemic
inequities experienced by people
Relevant learning outcomeLO1
Relating to
Conduct their approach to practice respectfully and inclusively with regard to culture
and diversity
Relevant learning outcomeLO3
Relating to
Apply an intersectional lens in their approach to complexities around culture and
diversity
Relevant learning outcomeLO1
Relating to
Respectfully engage with people who have culturally diverse identities
Relevant learning outcomeLO4
Relating to
Adapt and modify their practice on the basis of a critical awareness of how their
personal values, cultures and beliefs impact on their interactions with people
Relevant learning outcomeLO4
Relating to
Practise within a professional knowledge framework informed by a critical
understanding of contemporary social work theory and research
Relevant learning outcomeLO3, LO4
Relating to
Contribute their critical perspectives in interactions with other professions in a
positive and constructive manner
Relevant learning outcomeLO2
Relating to
Practise within the limits of their professional scope, knowledge and skills and, where
necessary, direct people to alternative sources of professional advice
Relevant learning outcomeLO2, LO3
Relating to
Make professional decisions on the basis of a holistic assessment of the needs,
strengths, goals and preferences of people
Relevant learning outcomeLO3, LO4
Relating to
Recognise, and use responsibly, the power and authority they have when exercising
professional judgement affecting people
Relevant learning outcomeLO1, LO3, LO4
Relating to
Critically assess the quality and veracity of all relevant information to support their
decisions
Relevant learning outcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Relating to
Make decisions aimed primarily at achieving the best possible outcomes for people
Relevant learning outcomeLO2, LO3, LO4
Relating to
Assess the nature and level of risk to people and incorporate that into the overall
assessment
Relevant learning outcomeLO1, LO3, LO4
Relating to
Make assessments and decide courses of action informed and guided by the lived
experience, wishes and preferences of service users to the fullest extent possible
Relevant learning outcomeLO3, LO4
Relating to
Consult with other professional practitioners who are contributing to the wellbeing of
the people they serve or work with
Relevant learning outcomeLO2, LO3, LO4
Relating to
Treat colleagues and all who contribute to the wellbeing of service users with
courtesy, and demonstrate respect for their individual expertise
Relevant learning outcomeLO1
Relating to
Be active learners, open to new and emerging knowledge, research and evidence
informing their practice
Relevant learning outcomeLO3