CMH2003

Transcultural mental health

To be offered in 1999

6 credit points · 2 contact hours and 10 hours of study time per week · Taught through the Parkville (Royal Park) campus and by distance education · First semester

Objectives The objectives are that students should have developed a greater sensitivity to the impact of trauma, migration and settlement on mental health, explored definitions of mental illness across cultures and the continuing debate concerning differing conceptions of mental illness, gained an understanding of the cultural factors in assessment and treatment approaches, gained knowledge of the major national and Victorian policy approaches to providing mental health services to Aboriginal and ethnic communities, and developed an understanding of current gaps in service provision to Aboriginal and ethnic communities in preparation for participation in policy development, service delivery and evaluation.

Synopsis This subject deals with the effects of cultural background on the definitions of mental illnesses and the implications of cultural and community structures for the delivery of mental health services. The major areas to be covered include adaptation and acculturation, characteristics of Aboriginal and ethnic communities in Australia, racism and prejudice, the mental health of Aboriginal and immigrant communities in Australia, cultural assumptions of standard methods of assessment and treatment, explanatory models of illness, State mental health policy, psychiatric service utilisation, and gaps in current service provision. This subject will be taught using computer-mediated communication, video programs, video conferencing, residential schools and mailed out text-based materials, as well as on-campus seminars and tutorials.

Assessment Study journal: 30% · Written assessment totalling 4000 words: 70%

Back to the 1999 Medicine Handbook