Leader: Ms J Gray

Offered

Clayton Second semester 2008 (Off-campus)

Synopsis

This unit provides an overview of the various policy context in community mental health practice like national and state mental health policies and a global move towards community mental health care. It addresses various practice paradigms of community mental health practices. The concept of needs of the patients, needs assessment and interpretation of the needs will be covered. There will be an emphasis on various patient groups. Community based intervention strategies and models will be covered with discussion of the skill base for community mental health practice. The role of consumers, participation, empowerment and collaboration will be covered and there will be an integration of all these concepts into clinical mental health practice.
Contents include:
The Policy Context of Community Mental Health Practice;
Practice Paradigms;
Mental Health Practice in the Community;
The Concept of Need;
Assessing Mental Health Needs;
Particular Groups and the Interpretation of Need;
Community Based Intervention Models and Strategies;
Skills for Community Mental Health Practice;
Power, Participation and Collaboration;
Consumers and Citizenship;and
Community Mental Health Practice.

Objectives

Upon completion of this unit, the student should:

1. Be familiar with the policy context of community mental health practice;
2. Be able to understand various practice paradigms;
3. Be able to understand the concept of need and competently do a need assessment and develop community intervention models;
4. Be able to understand the skills needed for community mental health practice;
5. Be able to critically understand the concepts of empowerment, consumer participation and collaborative practices; and
6. Be able to develop a consumer focused understanding of mental health needs.

Assessment

Two written assignments of 2,500 words each and weighted at 50% each. Both must be passed to pass the unit.