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An examination of the conceptual framework of mental health, mental ill-health and mental illness, and an introduction to the major classifications of mental illness. An analysis of social work's contribution to the field, and study of tested interventions with patients and support systems in mental health settings. Taught by staff with health expertise and practice experience.
This course is an integral part of social work education and may also be suitable for appropriately academically qualified students with an interest in other human services. The focus of the course is on mental health and ill health and the impact of mental disorder on individuals and families. The course takes account of the social-ecological context of mental disorders and consequently considers issues around culture and gender, policy and service provision. The course is designed to build on student knowledge and prior studies in the area of human development and as such the influence of "normal" developmental processes and external crises will be considered.Students are supported to achieve an understanding of how theory applies to practice via class discussions of case studies and documentary and fiction film materials. Each year, a number of professional practitioners are invited to deliver seminars in which they talk about their work in the field of mental health.
On the successful completion of the course, the student will have attained the ability to: 1. Articulate knowledge about major areas of mental disorder, including knowledge of diagnostic criteria and evidence based treatments.2. Show awareness of the reciprocal impacts of these disorders on the individual, family and society.3. Show awareness of the impact of inequality, oppression and stigma on mental health and illness.4. Articulate the relevance and applicability of mental health knowledge to social work practice in Aotearoa, and the contribution of social workers in this multidisciplinary field.5. Display knowledge about local and culturally appropriate mental health practices, protocols, and expectations.6. Engage in advanced reflective participatory learning processes, and understand how these contribute to the theory practice matrix. 7. Understanding of the potential impact of trauma work on the mental health of the worker and how this may be modulated.8. Undertake literature searches, and assess the relevance of literature to topics under consideration.9. Engage in discussion and debates wherein they convey a growing capacity to hypothesise or develop theoretical questions from data and literature, and to relate these to practice.
This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attributes specified below:
Critically competent in a core academic discipline of their award
Students know and can critically evaluate and, where applicable, apply this knowledge to topics/issues within their majoring subject.
Any 240 points at 100 and 200 level from the Schedule C and E of the BSW(Hons). Head of Department approval mandatory.
SOWK632
* One two hour lecture per week; tutorials as required* LEARN based resources and activities
Kate van Heugten
Kring, Ann M. et al; Abnormal psychology ; First Australasian edition; John Wiley & Sons Australia, 2018.
Library portalLearn Academic Integrity Guidance for Staff and Students Referencing for Social Work & Humans Services Using EndNote for referencing Writing guides for Social Work & Human Services Library Guides
The administrator for the Human Services and Social Work Department is Denise Forbes and she can be located in room 310 in the Psychology/Sociology Building.
Domestic fee $777.00
International fee $3,375.00
* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.
For further information see Language, Social and Political Sciences .