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

2026 10

Campus offering

Find out more about study modes.

Unit offerings may be subject to minimum enrolment numbers.

Please select your preferred campus.

  • Term Mode
  • ACU Term 1Multi-mode
  • Term Mode
  • ACU Term 1Online Unscheduled
  • ACU Term 4Online Unscheduled
  • Term Mode
  • ACU Term 1Multi-mode

Prerequisites

Nil

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

Understand the role of historical social movements in promoting consumer rights and the development of policies, programs and services in mental health.
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC1, GC3, GC6, GC7, GC8

Distinguish the roles and responsibilities of soci...

Learning Outcome 02

Distinguish the roles and responsibilities of social workers across diverse settings to integrate trauma informed approaches, ethical reasoning and reflexivity in complex and contested practice contexts.
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC1, GC4, GC5, GC7, GC9, GC11

Critically evaluate evidence to inform mental heal...

Learning Outcome 03

Critically evaluate evidence to inform mental health assessments and the development of evidence-informed plans.
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC2, GC3, GC9, GC10

Apply knowledge and skills in mental health assess...

Learning Outcome 04

Apply knowledge and skills in mental health assessments with individuals, families, groups and communities with diverse backgrounds, experiences and identities.
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC2, GC4, GC8, GC11, GC12

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

Weighting

20%

Learning Outcomes LO1, LO2, LO3

Assessment 2: Presentation: Enables students to ...

Assessment 2: Presentation: Enables students to critically analyse individual, social and structural responses to mental health practice

Weighting

30%

Learning Outcomes LO1, LO3, LO4

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.  

Weighting

50%

Learning Outcomes LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

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

Representative texts and references

Representative texts and references

Bland, Drake, G., & Drayton, J. (2021). Social work practice in mental health: an introduction (Third edition). Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group.

Corcoran, J., & Walsh, J. (2020). Mental health in social work: A casebook on diagnosis and strengths-based assessment (3rd Edition) 

Hungerford, C., Hodgson, D., Clancy, R., Murphy, G., & Doyle, K. (2021). Mental health care: an Introduction for health professionals (Fifth edition).

John Wiley and Sons Australia, Ltd. total pages, 1 Online resource (545 pages)

Locations
Credit points
Year

Have a question?

We're available 9am–5pm AEDT,
Monday to Friday

If you’ve got a question, our AskACU team has you covered. You can search FAQs, text us, email, live chat, call – whatever works for you.

Live chat with us now

Chat to our team for real-time
answers to your questions.

Launch live chat

Visit our FAQs page

Find answers to some commonly
asked questions.

See our FAQs