Master of Youth Mental Health

This course articulates from the existing Graduate Diploma of Youth Mental Health allowing students who meet the entry criteria to undertake advanced study and research in the field of youth mental health.

By the conclusion of the Master of Youth Mental Health students will have developed the following areas of knowledge:

• The major theories of development spanning the transition from adolescence to adulthood.

• The range of mental health problems that emerge during the transition from adolescence to adulthood.

• Recent advances in preventative models of psychiatry as applicable to young people.

• Recent advantages in the biological assessment and treatment of serious mental illness in young people.

• Optimal organisational and management approaches for the provision of services to young clients with serious mental illness

• Detection and management of early psychosis in young people

• Recent innovations in youth mental health service delivery

• Practice-based research methods.

• Advanced practice skills.

In addition, students will be able to apply the following skills in their work:

• Assess the early signs of a range of serious mental illnesses in young people.

• Design comprehensive treatment plans that are applicable to the early stages of serious mental illness and sensitive to the developmental tasks facing young clients of mental health services.

• Design community awareness interventions focusing upon early detection and referral of young people to mental health services.

• Apply psychosocial interventions in the treatment of primary and secondary morbidity across a range of serious mental illnesses affecting young people and their families.

• Match optimal approaches to the treatment of young people to inpatient, community-based and home-based services.

• Conduct practice-based research.

• Reflective practice.

Note: all subjects are compulsory.


Year 1

Semester 1:

Theories of Adolescent Development

Assessment in Young People


Semester 2:

Mental Illness in Young People I

Mental Illness in Young People II




Year 2

Semester 1:

Preventative Youth Psychiatry

Biological Interventions


Semester 2:

Psychosocial Interventions with Youth

Service Delivery and Optimisation




Year 3

Semester 1:

Treatment of Early Psychosis in Youth

Reflective Youth Mental Health Practice


Semester 2:

Management of Youth Mental Health

Reflective Youth Mental Health Practice




Year 4

Semester 1:

Introduction to Practice-Based Research Methods

Youth Mental Health Minor Thesis 1


Semester 2:

Introduction to Data Analysis in Practice-Based Research

Youth Mental Health Minor Thesis 2

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Year 4

1. The Selection Committee will evaluate the applicant's ability to pursue successfully the course using the following criteria:

• an undergraduate degree in a cognate discipline such as Health Science, Social Work, Psychology, Medicine, or related discipline; or

• an undergraduate degree in any discipline, or equivalent, and at least 2 years of documented relevant work experience or

• at least 5 years of documented relevant work experience, including clear evidence of career development, of professional writing, and generally of professional achievement or practice comparable to that expected of undergraduate degree holders in cognate disciplines.

2. The Selection Committee may conduct interviews and may call for referee reports or employer references to elucidate any of the matters referred to above.

Note: Students who do not achieve a grade point average of at least H2B (70%) in the first year of the program are not eligible to continue to the second year of the program,
but are eligible to receive a Graduate Certificate or Diploma as an exit award if all relevant subjects have been passed.

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

Academically excellent: The course will be lead by academics with distinguished international research careers and strong clinical experience.

Knowledgeable across disciplines: This course will take an integrated approach to learning ensuring that students gain a knowledge of general issues in the provision of mental health services to young people from an early intervention and preventative psychiatry perspective.

Leaders in communities: The reputation of the University and the senior academic staff involved should attract graduates with leadership desire and potential. The course will seek to develop the higher level understanding required for leadership in health care.

Attuned to cultural diversity: The course expects to attract local, interstate and rural/regional students and there will be a strong emphasis on understanding diverse cultural issues within the community when dealing with youth mental health issues.

Active global citizens: candidates are expected to become leaders in their profession and promote best practice in dealing with youth mental health issues nationally and internationally.

Program is recognized by professional bodies, e.g., Australian Association of Social Workers, Australian Psychological Society, Royal College of Nursing, and Australian College of Mental Health Nurses as fulfilling professional development (continuing education) requirements.