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No offerings have been identified for this subject in 2015

HCS512 Mental Health Policy and Community Services (8)

Abstract

This subject will examine contemporary mental health policy issues, legislation, ethical issues, controversies, social movements and trends affecting services to those experiencing mental disorders. It will discuss the historical context of the development of mental health services and how people with mental disorders have been historically stigmatized. It will review mental health policies relevant to the prevention of mental disorder, promotion of mental health and the framework for the delivery of psychosocial rehabilitation services. The effects of gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation and social class will be presented as these relate to various mental health policies and services.

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Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details prior to contacting their course coordinator: HCS512
Where differences exist between the handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.

Subject information

Duration Grading System School:
One sessionHD/FLSchool of Humanities and Social Sciences

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
- be able to demonstrate knowledge of the historical context of mental health policies and services
- be able to critically analyse existing mental health policy and system
- be able to outline the role of the human service practitioner/social worker in policy development and modification in mental health
- be able to discuss how public health concepts and epidemiological data are used in developing and changing policies and monitoring mental health programs
- be able to analyse the effects of oppression, discrimination and stigma on users of mental health services
- be able to design mental health prevention and promotion programs

Syllabus

The subject will cover the following topics:
- Mental health policy making and program development - Incidence and prevalence of mental disorders and the utilisation of mental health services - Australian mental health policy documents related to promotion of mental health, prevention of mental disorders, service delivery, financing, treatment and rehabilitation - Rights of populations at risk, issues related to civil committment and treatment, professional roles, consumer rights and advocacy - Impact of contemporary mental health policy on marginalised and economically disadvantaged groups

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The information contained in the 2015 CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: 01 October 2015. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.