Adolescent Mental Health

Subject 571-668 (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

Semester 2, - 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

Distance Education

Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Total Time Commitment: A total of 120 hours: includes participation in on-campus sessions, reading course materials, independant study and completion of all learning activities and assessment.
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
Subject Overview: This subject introduces conceptual frameworks for understanding mental health in young people and the importance of social contexts for mental health. The subject analyses the emotional dimensions of mental health and assists professionals to recognise emotional distress of a young person and ways that it can be manifested. The subject includes a skill-building component to allow professionals to work with young people within professional boundaries and accountabilities and gain an understanding of when and how to refer.
Assessment: Hurdle Requirement (Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory) : Introductory Learning Activity (Max: 1000 words) - due end week 3; Analysis of Motivational Interviewing Strategies (Max: 2,500 words) - Due week 8 (40 per cent); Written Assignment (Max: 3,000 words) - Due end of semester (60 per cent).
Prescribed Texts: None
Breadth Options:

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

On completion of this subject it is expected that students will be able to:

  • develop a repertoire of strategies to engage young people and families using motivational interviewing techniques;
  • assess the situational context to identify risk and resilience factors in a young person's life;
  • observe behaviours and recognise how they link to emotional distress;

This subject is designed to enable students to:

  • recognise cultural diversity in understanding mental health;
  • examine epidemiology of mental health disorders in young people;
  • describe conceptual frameworks for understanding mental health in young people;
  • recognise the dimensions of emotional stress, how it is displayed and how it is linked to thought patterns, feelings and physical health;
  • awareness of professional boundaries and assumptions that professionals bring to the context.
  • develop approaches to ensuring confidentiality, appropriate referral, and risk management.
Related Course(s): Master of Youth Health and Education Management

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