Unit Outline: COUN2051 - Mental Health Policy and Practice 1
Last updated: Trimester 2 2019
Unit Outline
COUN2051: Mental Health Policy and
Practice
Unit description
Knowledge in the area of mental health is essential to counselling practice within any
modality. In this unit students will gain an understanding of the mental health system in
Australia and the reforms that have contributed to the cu
ent mental health policy and
service landscape. Students will become familiar with classification systems such as the
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual 5 (DSM-5) and learn how to access information as
equired on particular mental health disorders. This unit will provide learning on the
psychologically focused strategies that have been identified as effective for a range of
mental health disorders. Through theoretical and practical learning students will critically
evaluate national mental health policies, service delivery, prevention and early
intervention programs.
Self-awareness is a key aspect of learning in the field of mental health. Stigma and
discrimination have been associated with mental illness therefore students will be invited
to reflect on their own attitudes and beliefs related to mental health. Students will engage
with mental health services to gain insight into consumer perspectives on experiences of
mental illness and on treatment options.
The emphasis of this unit is to equip students with the knowledge and skills to identify a
client with a mental health problem, engage in minor assessment tasks and make
appropriate refe
als.
Course(s) Bachelor of Counselling (BCouns)
Bachelor of Counselling (Coaching) (BCounsCo)
Bachelor of Applied Social Science (BAppSocSci)
Associate Degree of Applied Social Science
(ADAppSocSci)
Core / Elective Core - BCouns
Core – BcounsCo
Core – BappSocSci
Core - ADAppSocSci
Workload (hours per week) 9
Credit points 6
Unit Outline: COUN2051 - Mental Health Policy and Practice 2
Last updated: Trimester 2 2019
Unit learning outcomes
On completion of this unit, students will be able to:
a) apply the concepts and terminology used in the mental health field appropriately
) demonstrate respect for the diverse needs of people living with a mental health
condition, their families and carers
c) describe and apply the recovery-orientated approach to working with people with a
mental health condition
d) examine the legal and ethical considerations of mental health care within Australia
e) demonstrate an understanding of different mental health conditions, their symptoms
and evidence-based treatment approaches
f) critically reflect on their own response to mental health conditions
Textbook
The textbook for this unit is:
Hungerford, C., Hodgson, D., Bostwick, R., Clancy, R., Murphy, G., de Jong, G., &
Ngune, I XXXXXXXXXXMental health care (3rd ed.). Milton, QLD: John Wiley & Sons.
Recommended readings
The twelve sections of unit cu
iculum direct students to readings in the online classroom
for this unit. These readings are selected from journals and books that provide additional
information or a different perspective on topics covered in each section. They are from a
ange of authorities and expand the content of this unit.
Studying for this unit
The content of this unit has been designed to maximise the learning and the integration
of the subject matter. Much of the unit material is specific to the Australian context.
Students are encouraged to access additional information relevant to their local context,
which will assist in applying the learning and ensuring its relevance. This may include
specific legislation, government and professional association resources, and journals. It is
important that students’ reading is
oad.
In general students are expected to:
read each section of the unit carefully and make notes about new content, and
points that are unclear, or in conflict with previous learning or experience
complete readings of the text and other readings and resources, making notes on
important insights or facts, especially those relevant to assignments
Unit Outline: COUN2051 - Mental Health Policy and Practice 3
Last updated: Trimester 2 2019
There may be periodic suggestions or issues on which students are asked to deliberate
and reflect. Sometimes these are dilemmas or difficult issues associated with the study
topic which have no right or wrong answers, but are used to trigger critical thinking.
Required resources
o Access to PowerPoint
Face to Face hours by delivery mode:
On Campus – OC: Units studied on campus are designed with 12 three hour classes,
totalling 36 contact hours.
Online – OL: Teachers will offer a minimum of six Zoom sessions throughout the term.
Students are encouraged to participate in interactive activities and engage in the Zoom
sessions as these further develop skills and knowledge.
Attendance requirements
Attendance requirements ensure that students studying this unit On Campus have the
opportunity to fully engage in the learning appropriate to this delivery mode.
On Campus requirements (for students studying this unit on campus)
In this unit provided by the Discipline of Counselling, it is mandatory that on-campus
students maintain at least 80% attendance.
Online requirements (for students studying this unit online)
In this unit provided by the Discipline of Counselling, it is mandatory that online
students maintain at least 80% attendance/participation. Attendance is evidenced by
contribution to weekly discussion forums. Details of this can be found under the section
entitled ‘Hurdle Requirement.’ Online students are also expected to watch the six live or
ecorded Zoom tutorials provided by their Academic Teacher.
Learning activities
Learning activities are set in each section of the unit to give opportunities for further
learning. They are designed to help students think through and practice the specific skills
and general concepts presented in this unit. They do not need to be sent to the academic
teacher for marking. However, valuable learning opportunities will be missed by not
completing the activities.
In studying this unit, students should maintain a learning journal for completing the
activities. To structure the learning journal, set aside space for:
completing a glossary of new terminology and concepts introduced in this unit
notes on unit content and readings
answers to learning activities
draft assessments.
Students can also keep the learning journal electronically.
Unit Outline: COUN2051 - Mental Health Policy and Practice 4
Last updated: Trimester 2 2019
Self-assessment
There are self-assessment questions at the end of each section to test students’
understanding of the section’s content. Try to recall the answers to these questions
unaided. Write down answers from memory before going back to review the relevant
material in the section. Some of the questions require more than simple recall. Some
will require synthesising separate issues or different pieces of information. Real learning
is not just remembering the reading. It involves owning this knowledge by:
• reflecting
• questioning
• relating theory to personal experiences
• integrating a number of readings on a particular topic or concept
• paraphrasing.
Assignments
The assignments for this unit are carefully set so they develop from and support the key
concepts and skills of the unit, and are aligned with the learning outcomes for this unit.
Unit Outline: COUN2051 - Mental Health Policy and Practice 5
Last updated: Trimester 2 2019
Contents
Section 1: Introduction to Mental Health in Australia
Section 2: Mental Health Service Delivery
Section 3: Understanding Mental Illness
Section 4: Classification Systems
Section 5: Mental Health Assessment
Section 6: Assessment of Depressive Disorders, Anxiety and Related
Disorders, and Substance Use
Section 7: Assessment of Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic
Disorders and Neurocognitive Disorders
Section 8: Culture and Mental Health
Section 9: Focused Psychological Strategies 1
Section 10: Focused Psychological Strategies 2
Section 11: Prevention and Early Interventions
Section 12: Ethical and Legal Challenges in Mental Health Practice
Unit Outline: COUN2051 - Mental Health Policy and Practice 6
Last updated: Trimester 2 2019
Assignment summary
Please ensure you keep copies of all assignments submitted for this unit.
Assignment
Type
Weight Word
Count
Due Date Alignment with Learning
Outcomes
Assignment 1:
Academic
Essay
50% 2000
words
Week 6 a) apply the concepts and
terminology used in the
mental health field
appropriately
) demonstrate respect for
the diverse needs of
people living with a
mental health condition,
their families and carers
c) describe and apply the
ecovery-orientated
approach to working
with people with a
mental health condition
d) examine the legal and
ethical considerations of
mental health care
within Australia
Unit Outline: COUN2051 - Mental Health Policy and Practice 7
Last updated: Trimester 2 2019
Assignment 2:
2a.Preparation
of PowerPoint
presentation
(on-campus
and online
students)
and
2b.OC -
Facilitation
(on-campus)
OR
2b.OL - Written
summary
(online
students)
50% (total)
25%
25%
25%
8 – 10
slides
15
mins
1000
words
Week 10
Presentations:
Weeks 10 -11
Week 10
a) apply the concepts and
terminology used in the
mental health field
appropriately
) demonstrate respect for
the diverse needs of
people living with a
mental health condition,
their families and carers
c) describe and apply the
ecovery-orientated
approach to working
with people with a
mental health condition
d) examine the legal and
ethical considerations of
mental health care
within Australia
e) demonstrate an
understanding of
different mental health
conditions, their
symptoms and evidence-
ased treatment
approaches
f) critically reflect on their
own response to mental
health conditions
Hurdle
Requirement
(for online
students)
Please refer to relevant section for details.
Unit Outline: COUN2051 - Mental Health Policy and Practice 8
Last updated: Trimester 2 2019
Assignment 1: Academic Essay
Assignment Type Weighting Word Count Date Due
Academic Essay 50% 2000 words Week 6
Purpose:
This assignment enables students to research and analyse the academic literature on a
topic related to mental health. This assignment provides an opportunity for students to
sharpen their research, academic writing skills and critical thinking skills.
Process:
Write an essay on one of the following topics:
1. Outline the recovery- orientated approach to working with people who have a mental
health condition or disorder. How might this approach be applied to a mental health
consumer? Draw on references from this unit to support your essay.
2. Discuss the prevalence and impact of stigma and discrimination on