JCU Australia logo

Subject Search

Try new Subject Search!

We've released the new Subject Search, designed to be simpler and faster than the application below.

WS4503 - Social Work and Mental Health

Credit points: 3
Year: 2023
Student Contribution Band: Band 4
Administered by: College of Arts, Society & Education

This subject offers an introduction to critical, theoretical and applied issues in relation to mental health practice. Providing an overview of mental health practice, this course emphasises social welfare practice, social justice and human rights approaches to mental health. The subject is interwoven with an intersectoral analysis, including gender, ethnicity and socioeconomic status.

Learning Outcomes

  • critically examine the ideas that inform the questions 'what is health?' 'what is mental health?' (including historical themes, medical models, sociological models, the social construction of madness, and the spectrum of interventions for mental health practice);
  • be conversant with the knowledge base and values of professional disciplines involved in the delivery of mental health services in Australia (ICD 10, DMS-5, multi disciplinary teams, organisation of mental health services, alternative options for naming and responding to mental health issues.);
  • analyse and evaluate conceptualisations of mental health and mental illness in relation to human rights and social justice;
  • demonstrate and apply knowledge of mental health legislation and the shaping of social policy in relation to mental health in Australia;
  • integrate knowledge of mental health and mental illness with social work theories, skills and values and explore the application of social work practice frameworks with diverse social and cultural contexts.

Subject Assessment

  • Written > Essay (including multi-draft) 1 - (40%) - Individual
  • Written > Essay (including multi-draft) 2 - (60%) - Individual.
Prerequisites: (Admission to 103804 MSW Prof Qual and allow concurrent enrolment in WS5516 or WS5517), OR (Admission to 112510 BSW and WS3515), OR (Admission to 115710 BA and WS2510), OR (Admission to 120911 GradCert Human Services)
Inadmissible
Subject
Combinations:
WS5603

Availabilities

Cairns, Study Period 1, Internal
Census Date 23-Mar-2023
Coordinator: Dr Albert Kuruvila
Workload expectations:

The student workload for this 3 credit point subject is approximately 130 hours.

  • 24 hours workshops
  • 12 hours online activity
  • assessment and self-directed study

Cairns, Study Period 2, Internal
Census Date 24-Aug-2023
Coordinator: Dr Albert Kuruvila
Workload expectations:

The student workload for this 3 credit point subject is approximately 130 hours.

  • 24 hours workshops
  • 12 hours online activity
  • assessment and self-directed study

Townsville, Study Period 1, Internal
Census Date 23-Mar-2023
Coordinator: Dr Albert Kuruvila
Workload expectations:

The student workload for this 3 credit point subject is approximately 130 hours.

  • 24 hours workshops
  • 12 hours online activity
  • assessment and self-directed study

Townsville, Study Period 2, Internal
Census Date 24-Aug-2023
Coord/Lect: Dr Albert Kuruvila.
Workload expectations:

The student workload for this 3 credit point subject is approximately 130 hours.

  • 24 hours workshops
  • 12 hours online activity
  • assessment and self-directed study

Study Period 1, External
Census Date 23-Mar-2023
Coordinator: Dr Albert Kuruvila
Workload expectations:

The student workload for this 3 credit point subject is approximately 130 hours.

  • 12 hours online activity
  • 24 hours online Workshops
  • assessment and self-directed study
Method of Delivery: WWW - LearnJCU

Study Period 2, External
Census Date 24-Aug-2023
Coordinator: Dr Albert Kuruvila
Lecturer: Assoc. Professor Abraham Francis.
Workload expectations:

The student workload for this 3 credit point subject is approximately 130 hours.

  • 12 hours online activity
  • 24 hours online Workshops
  • assessment and self-directed study
Method of Delivery: WWW - LearnJCU

Note: Minor variations might occur due to the continuous Subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.