MHP209 Mental Health, Law and Ethics (8)
CSU Discipline Area: Nursing, Midwifery and Indigenous Health (NRMIH)
Duration: One session
Abstract:
This subject will address legal and ethical issues pertaining to the intervention and management of people who have a mental illness or a mental health disorder. Mental health professionals are accountable for their day to day work, to the consumer and to the community. There is an expectation to practice within a standard of care framework when practicing as a mental health professional. This paradigm, along with the other components of negligence will be explored alongside the Civil Liability Act. Other legal issues such as managing information and the Privacy Act, the Crimes Act, the Inebriates Act, the Guardianship Act, the Public Health Act, Occupational Health and Safety legislation, the NT National Emergency Response Act and mandatory reporting will be explored. Most importantly, the Mental Health Act will be included and examined as to how it governs daily practice. Ethical issues surrounding mental health care and treatment will also be examined including the principles of autonomy, beneficience, non-maleficence and justice. Holistic health encompasses spirituality as well as the physical, social, and emotional wellbeing of the individual and community.
This subject has a residential school.
+ Subject Availability Modes and Locations
| Session 2 | |
|---|---|
| Distance * | Wagga Wagga |
*This subject offering contains a residential school. Please view following information for further details.
Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details: MHP209
Where differences exist between the Handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.
Enrolment restrictions:
Restricted to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
- be able to demonstrate an understanding of the way in which our legal system was established, its functions and its relationship with mental health workers;
- be able to critically discuss the legal and ethical issues in mental health practice;
- be able to identify the laws, policies and guidelines that influence the practice of mental health professionals;
- be able to describe and discuss the term Code of Practice;
- be able to discuss the relationship between legal and professional responsiblity;
- be able to discuss and describe duty of care and standard of care alongside negligence and legal liability;
- be able to discuss the importance of managing information and confidentiality;
- be able to describe informed consent, mandatory reporting, and freedom of information; and
- be able to identify steps in ethical decision-making
Syllabus:
The subject will cover the following topics:
- The Australian legal system and sources of law.
- Ethical theory and applied principles (including an examination of autonomy and paternalism in mental health care).
- Introduction to relevant legislation including the Mental Health Act, Child Welfare Act, Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act, Occupational Health and Safety Act, Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Act , Coroner's Act, Inebriates Act, Crimes Act, NT National Emergency Response Act, Guardianship Act, Health Care Complaints Act, Human Tissue Act , Anti-Discrimination Act, Public Health Act, Drug Misuse and Trafficking Act, Aged Care Act.
- An examination of tort law (negligence, vicarious liability, assault, informed consent, false imprisonment) including the Civil Liability Act.
- Professional role and responsibilities relating to patient?s rights, health care worker rights, privacy, confidentiality, withdrawal of treatment and advance care directives.
- Professional Code of Ethics and Conduct.
- Ethical issues related to assault and abuse, forensic and involuntary detention.
- Documentation.
Residential School
This subject contains a compulsory 2.66 day residential school.
The students undertaking subjects within the Bachelor of Health Science (Mental Health) – Djirruwang Program are supported in their study endeavours through DEEWR funding under Away from Base to attend the compulsory residential schools. This funding is set at 20 days across two academic sessions (30 and 60). The following breakdown covers the number of days per subject per session/year to ensure that students are able to continue to be supported in their academic pursuits under the current funding agreement with the Indigenous Student Services (Ngungilanna).
Second Year
Session One Session Two
MHP211 – 2 days MHP211 – 2 days
MHP214 – 2.66 days MHP209 – 2.66 days
MHP212 - 2.66 days MHP216 – 2.66 days
MHP213 – 2.66 days MHP213 – 2.66 days
Total 10 days Total 10 days
Across session 30 and 60 a total of 20 days, this meets the requirements for student support to attend residential schools from ISS.
Specialised Resources
This subject has a residential school
The information contained in the 2013 CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: 24 April 2013. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.