PSYC2500
10 units
2000 level
Course handbook
Description
Mental health is important to everyone. This course offers an introductory understanding of the nature of healthy mental functioning and well-being as well as mental ill-health to both psychology and other health professional students. The content in this course has a strong focus on biopsychosocial determinants of mental health, well-being and mental ill-health. Students will be introduced to a variety of commonly encountered mental disorders by way of real world cases to illustrate how these disorders may present. The course will focus on culturally appropriate strategies for maintaining and promoting mental health and well-being, and also the aetiology, diagnosis and typical types of interventions for mental illnesses. Students will examine a number of behavioural categorisations including health and stress, as well as mental health conditions such as anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders, obsessive-compulsive and related disorders, and trauma- and stressor-related disorders.Related subjects: PSYC1200, PSYC2400, PSYC2600, PSYC2200, PSYC3200PSYC2500 forms part of an Australian Psychology Accreditation Council's accredited sequence.
Availability2024 Course Timetables
Callaghan
- Semester 1 - 2024
Ourimbah
- Semester 1 - 2024
Online
- Semester 1 - 2024
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the course students will be able to:
1. Summarise theories of mental health and well-being with a focus on determinants of mental health.
2. Discuss mental health disorders with a focus on prevention, evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of mental health disorders.
3. Discuss the main psychological therapeutic orientations and applications.
4. Identify clinically relevant psychological information using case studies.
5. Apply values for ethical professional practice and public safety.
Content
- What is mental health and how do we recognise and promote mental health and well-being
- Culturally appropriate theoretical frameworks, including for Indigenous Australians, for understanding mental health and well-being as well as mental health disorders
- The nature of mental health disorders, including epidemiology, aetiology and classifications
- Methods of mental health evaluations and therapeutic orientations and applications
- Legal and ethical issues related to mental health disorders
Assumed knowledge
PSYC1010 and PSYC1020
Assessment items
Essay: Essay
Portfolio: Lab Portfolio
Quiz: Online Quiz
Contact hours
Semester 1 - 2024 - Callaghan
Laboratory-1
- Face to Face On Campus 2 hour(s) per week(s) for 10 week(s) starting in week 2
- See schedule in Course Outline
Lecture-1
- Face to Face On Campus 2 hour(s) per week(s) for 12 week(s) starting in week 1
Online Activity-1
- Online 2 hour(s) per week(s) for 2 week(s)
- See schedule in Course Outline
Semester 1 - 2024 - Ourimbah
Laboratory-1
- Face to Face On Campus 2 hour(s) per week(s) for 10 week(s) starting in week 2
- See schedule in Course Outline
Lecture-1
- Face to Face On Campus 2 hour(s) per week(s) for 12 week(s) starting in week 1
Online Activity-1
- Online 2 hour(s) per week(s) for 2 week(s)
- See schedule in Course Outline
Semester 1 - 2024 - Online
Laboratory-1
- Online 2 hour(s) per week(s) for 12 week(s) starting in week 2
- See schedule in Course Outline
Lecture-1
- Online 2 hour(s) per week(s) for 12 week(s) starting in week 2
Course outline
- PSYC2500 - Semester 1, 2024 (All) (PDF, 219.5 KB)
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.