Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Science (Young People's Mental Health)

Course 208-YP (2009)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2009. Search for this in the current handbook

Year and Campus: 2009
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Level: Graduate/Postgraduate

Coordinator

Dr Candice Boyd, email- cboyd@unimelb.edu.au

Contact

Nazan Yuksel - E: nyuksel@unimelb.edu.au | Ph: +61 3 9342 3744

Course Overview: The course is directed toward those who wish to acquire the skills necessary to remain at the forefront of preventive psychiatry in young people's mental health during the onset phase of serious mental illness, both within Australia and internationally. Spanning the 'youth' developmental phase from 14 to 25 years, the course actively integrates a developmental perspective with an emphasis on early detection, intensive intervention and secondary prevention across a range of serious mental illnesses including early psychosis, eating disorders, and depression.
Objectives:

By the conclusion of the graduate diploma students will have developed the following areas of knowledge:

  • The major theories of development spanning the transition from adolescence to adulthood
  • Recent advances in the preventative models of psychiatry as applicable to young people
  • Recent advances in the biological assessment and treatment of serious mental illness in young people
  • Optimal organisation and management approaches for the provision of services to young clients with serious mental illness

In addition, students will be able to apply the following skills in working with young people:

  • Design community awareness interventions focusing upon early detection and referral of young people to mental health services
  • Assess the early signs of a range of serious mental illnesses in young people
  • Design comprehensive treatment plans which are applicable to the early stages of serious mental illness and sensitive to the developmental tasks facing young clients of mental health services
  • Apply psychosocial interventions in the treatment of primary and secondary morbidity across a range of serious mental illessesses affecting young people and their families
  • Match optimal approaches to the treatment of young people to impatient, community-based and home-based approaches
Course Structure & Available Subjects: Students must successfully complete all eight core subjects to obtain the Graduate Diploma.

Subject Options:

Core Subjects

Core Subjects:
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1, Semester 2
12.500
Semester 1, Semester 2
12.500
Semester 1, Semester 2
12.500
Semester 1, Semester 2
12.500
Semester 1, Semester 2
12.500
Semester 1, Semester 2
12.500
Semester 1, Semester 2
12.500
Semester 1, Semester 2
12.500
Entry Requirements: Degree in psychiatry, medicine, psychology, nursing, social work, occupational therapy or other related disciplines.
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
Graduate Attributes: None
Links to further information: http://www.orygen.org.au

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