Unit rationale, description and aim

A knowledge of mental health, illness and wellbeing is considered essential for social work practice across a wide range of health and welfare settings. In this unit, students will be provided with foundational knowledge of contemporary concepts in mental health, illness 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 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-based social work practice. 

2025 10

Campus offering

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  • Term Mode
  • ACU Term 1Multi-mode
  • ACU Term 2Multi-mode
  • Term Mode
  • ACU Term 1Online Unscheduled
  • ACU Term 3Online Unscheduled
  • ACU Term 4Online Unscheduled
  • Term Mode
  • ACU Term 1Multi-mode
  • ACU Term 2Multi-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.

Analyse the role of social movements in mental hea...

Learning Outcome 01

Analyse the role of social movements in mental health for promoting consumer rights, relating selected theories to the development of policies, programs and services in mental health practice
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC1, GC3, GC6, GC7, GC8

Differentiate the roles and responsibilities of so...

Learning Outcome 02

Differentiate the roles and responsibilities of social workers in mental health practice, analysing ethical issues and critically reflecting on ethical dilemmas in mental health practice
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC1, GC4, GC5, GC7, GC9, GC11

Interpret and apply research skills to explore the...

Learning Outcome 03

Interpret and apply research skills to explore the evidence base for social work assessment and to develop appropriate evidence-based intervention plans
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC2, GC3, GC9, GC10

Apply relevant assessment and intervention skills ...

Learning Outcome 04

Apply relevant assessment and intervention skills for mental health practice 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 based 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

ON CAMPUS:

The unit has three assessable tasks, designed to test different learning outcomes for the unit. There is a focus on engaging with the research literature, and applying knowledge for practice situations. 

The first assessment task is a quiz covering basic core concepts required for social work in mental health.

The second assessment is a student presentation to be delivered in class time, on a topic chosen by the student. This allows students a wide range of choice and a capacity to share ideas and knowledge from the broader mental health research literature. In the past some students have chosen to focus on their own “lived experience”, or chosen a topic because of its relevance to themselves or family member. 

The final assessment task asks students to demonstrate their capacity to gather and organise information into a standardised assessment framework. This tests their skills in observation, analysis, and professional writing. Students are then required to connect their assessment with theoretical concepts in mental health, particularly recovery theory.

In order to pass this unit students must demonstrate achievement of every unit learning outcome, pass hurdle tasks, and obtain a minimum mark of 50% in graded units. 

ACU ONLINE:

The unit has three assessment tasks, designed to test different learning outcomes for the unit. There is a focus on engaging with the research literature, and applying knowledge for practice situations. 

The first assessment task is a quiz covering basic core concepts required for social work in mental health.

The second assessment is a student presentation on a topic chosen by the student. This allows students a wide range of choice and a capacity to share ideas and knowledge from the broader mental health research literature. In the past some students have chosen to focus on their own “lived experience”, or chosen a topic because of its relevance to themselves or family member. 

The final assessment task asks students to demonstrate their capacity to gather and organise information into a standardised assessment framework. This tests their skills in observation, analysis, and professional writing. Students are then required to connect their assessment with theoretical concepts in mental health, particularly recovery theory.

In order to pass this unit students must demonstrate achievement of every unit learning outcome, pass hurdle tasks, and obtain a minimum mark of 50% in graded units. 

Overview of assessments

Assessment 1: Online Quiz: To assess student...

Assessment 1: Online Quiz: To assess students’ knowledge of core concepts for social work in mental health.

Weighting

20%

Learning Outcomes LO1, LO2

Assessment 2: Presentation: Articulation of ...

Assessment 2: Presentation: Articulation of social work approaches to mental health practice. 10 minutes duration, plus reference list.

Weighting

30%

Learning Outcomes LO1, LO2, LO3

Assessment 3: Case study report and analysis:&nbs...

Assessment 3: Case study report and analysis: Identify and develop the key social work skills necessary for conducting social work mental health assessments and interventions with individuals and families. 

Weighting

50%

Learning Outcomes LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

For On Campus: A2 Presentation to be scheduled during Workshop 2

For ACUO: Multi media/e-presentation choice of a recording, annotated PowerPoint or video (as stipulated on the CANVAS site each year) due to asynchronous nature of delivery, 

Learning and teaching strategy and rationale

ON CAMPUS:

This unit involves 150 hours of learning with a combination of online material and interactive workshops. 

This unit will be offered in multi-mode, using a blended approach of online material and intensive workshops. Online material will include weekly mini-lecture recordings exploring each concept or topic as well as synchronous and non-synchronous online activities. Online material will provide students with foundational knowledge about mental health, wellbeing and mental illness, exploring contemporary approaches to social work practice in diverse mental health and wellbeing contexts. Three intensive sessions of six hours each, offered across the teaching semester, will provide students with collaborative learning opportunities, with a focus on case-based learning and practice of relevant skills. 

ACU ONLINE:

This unit involves 150 hours of study delivered online using an active learning approach. Students are expected to complete readings, reflect and engage with peers over the study period. Students will have access to self-paced learning modules, readings, webinars, discussion forums and assessment tasks. Online forums and chat rooms will facilitate learning by sharing critical reflections with a focus on case-based learning. This learning approach is flexible and inclusive, allowing students the opportunity to analyse, critically evaluate and reflect on contemporary approaches to social work practice delivered in mental health and wellbeing settings. 

AASW Practice Standards

This Unit has been mapped to the ACU Graduate Attributes and the ASWEAS Profession-Specific Graduate Attributes. The following table sets out the broad relationship between the Learning Outcomes, Graduate Attributes and the ASWEAS Profession-Specific Graduate Attributes provided in the Australian Social Work Education and Accreditation Standards: https://www.aasw.asn.au/document/item/13565  

Standards/Attributes/Criteria

1.Values and ethics

2.Professionalism

3.Culturally responsive and inclusive practice

4.Knowledge for practice

5.Applying knowledge to practice

6.Communication and Interpersonal skills

7.Information recording and sharing

8.Professional development and supervision

ASWEAS Profession-Specific Graduate Attributes

This Unit has been mapped to the ACU Graduate Attributes and the ASWEAS Profession-Specific Graduate Attributes. The following table sets out the broad relationship between the Learning Outcomes, Graduate Attributes and the ASWEAS Profession-Specific Graduate Attributes provided in the Australian Social Work Education and Accreditation Standards: https://www.aasw.asn.au/document/item/13565  

Standard/Attributes/Criteria

Standard/Attributes/CriteriaLearning Outcomes

4.1 Understand higher level systemic influences on people with respect to an area of practice.  

4.4 Understand and articulate how and when theories, knowledge bases and knowledge sources inform practice 

LO1

1.1 Practice in accordance with the AASW Code of Ethics

1.2 Manage ethical dilemmas and issues arising in practice

2.1 Represent the social work profession with integrity and professionalism 

2.2 Behave in a professional manner and be accountable for all actions and decisions

4.2 Understand and articulate social work and other relevant theories and concepts

4.4 Understand and articulate how and when theories, knowledge bases and knowledge sources inform practice

5.3 Use a range of social work methods and techniques appropriate to the area of practice

5.4 Apply critical and reflective thinking to practice

LO2

4.3 Understand the role of research and evaluation in obtaining and generating new knowledge for practice

LO3

3.1 Work inclusively and respectfully with cultural difference and diversity 

3.2 Respect and strive to understand and promote the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their cultures

5.3 Use a range of social work methods and techniques appropriate to the area of practice

LO4

Representative texts and references

Representative texts and references

AASW. (2015). Scope of social work practice: Social work in mental health. Retrieved from https://www.aasw.asn.au/document/item/8309

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 (Fourth edition). John Wiley and Sons Australia, Ltd.


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