Advanced 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/

This subject extends the knowledge and skills developed in the prerequisite Mental Health and Ageing course. Management of mental health in older persons is explored from a range of biomedical and social perspectives. Topics include optimising mental health during ageing, preventing and managing common mental health disorders in older age, current models of mental health care and challenges for the future. Pharmacological, psychotherapeutic and environmental interventions are considered. Population health strategies and mental health promotion to support and ageing worldwide population are explored.

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

• Demonstrate and informed understanding of evidence based management strategies for the common mental health disorders, including biological, psychological, sociocultural and environmental interventions, and appropriate tools to monitor intervention effectiveness;
• Demonstrate an understanding of the role of carers in management of mental health problems in later life and identify assessment and support strategies for carers;
• Identify and discuss competing models of mental health care for older persons, including benefits and risks for individuals, carers and the community;
• Critically discuss, assess and develop strategies to support late life mental health in a growing ageing worldwide population, including benefits and risks, short-term and long-term consequences.

• Contribution to online discussions, weekly. (10%)
• Three on-line quizzes, each worth 5%, approx 3 weekly intervals or equivalent (15%)
• Written assignment, 1500 words or equivalent, week 4 (25%)
• Critical essay, 2500 words or equivalent, week 8 (50%)

‘Guide to the Psychiatry of Old Age’. Ames, Lindsay, O’Brien and Shulman. Cambridge University Press, 2010

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;
• Advanced research skills;
• Advanced analytic, integration and problem-solving skills;

Critical, theoretical and reflective thinking through essay writing and online discussions.