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Unit of study_
SCWK6952: Critical Perspectives on Mental Health
2025 unit information
This unit of study introduces a range of perspectives and key contemporary debates in mental health policy and practice. Students develop knowledge relating to an ecological framework of mental health, statutory and professional power negotiated by social workers within the mental health field, social work advocacy in mental health policy and practice, and the importance of lived experience knowledge. Areas of mental health that are examined include psychosis, self-harm and suicidality, trauma and addiction, and child and adolescent wellbeing.
Unit details and rules
Managing faculty or University school:
Arts and Social Sciences
| Study level | Postgraduate |
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| Academic unit | Social Work |
| Credit points | 6 |
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Prerequisites:
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None |
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Corequisites:
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None |
| Prohibitions:
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None |
| Assumed knowledge:
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None |
At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- LO1. analyse key contemporary debates in mental health policy and practice
- LO2. demonstrate an ability to conceptualise mental distress through social and critical mental health perspectives
- LO3. articulate complex practice issues relating to the statutory and professional power negotiated by social workers within the mental health field
- LO4. identify opportunities for social work advocacy in mental health policy and practice
- LO5. combine social work and critical theories, lived experience knowledge, and the contributions of the user-survivor movement into a transformed framework for mental health practice
- LO6. critically reflect on your experience and knowledge of the mental health field, and identify areas for future development.
Unit availability
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Modes of attendance (MoA)
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