Mental Health, Women and Society

Subject 505-447 (2008)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2008.Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 12.500
Level: Graduate/Postgraduate
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2008:

Semester 1, - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable

Classroom

Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: A total of 24 hours contact as one 2 hour session per week for one semester.
Total Time Commitment: Students will be expected to read the background material provided for each session and to prepare an oral and written class paper and an essay in a total time commitment of 96 hours
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, 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

Coordinator

Key Centre for Women's Health in Society
Subject Overview:

Poor mental health constitutes a major disease burden in both industrialised and developing countries. Mental health and emotional wellbeing are governed by the interactions of multiple factors including quality of relationships, poverty, exposure to violence, the dual burden of paid and unpaid work, physical health, gender stereotypes and life stage. The first aim of this subject is to review and analyse critically the evidence about the nature, prevalence, correlates; models of causation and gender differences in common mental health problems. The second aim is to increase knowledge about the assessment and management of mental health in clinical practice and the inclusion of mental health outcomes in research, health policy and development.

Subject Objectives: Students who complete this subject successfully should be able to:

  • evaluate critically conceptualisations of poor mental health in women and men;
  • appreciate the multiple determinants of poor mental health;
  • understand the range of psychological responses to social adversity and physical illness;
  • apply this in a psychologically informed approach to clinical practice and health policy and the inclusion of mental health outcomes in research, policy formation and development strategies.
Assessment: Oral presentation (20 mins) (to be scheduled in class times) and an essay of 2500 words (50%) (due mid-semester) and written class paper of 1000 words (30%) (due end of semester)
Prescribed Texts: Selected readings will be available.
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

The generic skills that students in this subject will develop include:

  • critical thinking and analytical skills;
  • improved written and oral communication skills
Links to further information: http://www.sph.unimelb.edu.au/
Notes:

This subject is a Group 1 elective in the Master of Public Health.

Subject Coordinator: Assoc Prof Jane Fisher

Related Course(s): Postgraduate Diploma in Women's Health

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