Mental Health and Ageing

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

170 hours

For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Objectives, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

In this subject the implications of mental health and ageing are explored from a range of bio-medical and social perspectives. Lecture topics include understanding the distinction between mental health and mental illness, placing mental health and ageing within a lifespan framework with an emphasis on cognitive changes in later life and managing common mental health disorders in older age. Screening, assessment and psychological interventions for these common conditions are covered, including late life delusional disorders, substance use and abuse, anxiety and personality disorders, delirium and dementia, depression and pain. This subject also discusses demographic projections for mental health disorders and considers strategies to support an ageing worldwide population, including mental health promotion.

On completion of this subject, students will be able to:

• Clearly articulate the difference between mental health and mental illness;
• Demonstrate an informed understanding of the common mental health disorders that occur in later life; and
• Develop knowledge and skills for assessment of older persons with mental health disorders.

• Weekly contribution to Online Discussions (10%)
• Three on-line quizzes, each quiz worth 5% held throughout the teaching period (15%)
• Written assignment (1,500 words) due in the middle of the teaching period (25%)
• Critical essay (3,000 words) due at the end of the teaching period (50%)

Students will have access to electronic copies of relevant readings.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Students will be provided with the opportunity to practice and reinforce:

• High level written communication skills.
• Advance information and interpretation skills.
• Advance analytic, integration and problem-solving skills
• Demonstrate competence in critical and theoretical thinking through essay writing and online discussions.