WS4503 - Social Work and Mental Health

Credit points:	03
Year:	2008
Student Contribution Band:	Band 1
Administered by:	Discipline of Social Work & Community Welfare

An overview of the social and cultural determinants of mental health; mental health legislation and social policy applications, especially in relation to deinstitutionalisation, community care and consumer advocacy groups; power and gender issues in mental health practice; and the development of personal practice models in mental health work compatible with social work values and knowledge and the pursuit of social justice goals.

Learning Outcomes

• an awareness of the social construction of mental health in cultural, community and individual contexts;
• be conversant with the knowledge and value bases of the professional disciplines involved in mental health practice to the point where students are comfortable working in multi-disciplinary teams and confident of making a specific social work contribution;
• develop of a personal philosophy of practice in relation to mental health work applicable to a wide range of agency settings and client groups and to the formation of partnerships with mental health consumers and carers;
• understand the social justice and human rights implications of mental health legislation and practice.

Graduate Qualities

• The ability to speak and write logically, clearly and creatively.

Prerequisites:

(WS3515 OR WS3516) and WS3025

Availabilities
Townsville, Internal, Study Period 1
Census Date 04-Apr-2008
Coordinator:	Ms Beth Tinning
Contact hours:	39 hours workshops/Seminars
Assessment:	presentations (50%); individual reflective journal and statement of learnings (50%).
External, Study Period 1
Census Date 04-Apr-2008
Coordinator:	Ms Beth Tinning
Contact hours:	0 hours
Method of Delivery:	Printed materials
Assessment:	assignments.
Cairns, Internal, Study Period 1
Census Date 04-Apr-2008
Coordinator:	Ms Desley Harvey
Lecturers:	Ms Catherine Flanagan, Assoc. Professor Wendy Earles.
Contact hours:	39 hours workshops/Seminars
Assessment:	presentations (50%); individual reflective journal and statement of learning ( (50%).
Mackay, Internal, Study Period 1
Census Date 04-Apr-2008
Contact hours:	26 hours tutorials
Assessment:	presentations (50%); individual reflective journal and statement of learning (50%).

Note: Minor variations might occur due to the continuous Subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.