Mental Health Nursing
Overview
Through a strengths-based solution focused framework students will be introduced to providing care for consumers of mental health services and their families. This unit will assist students to understand the complex causation of mental illness. Students will study mental health diagnosis, the most effective interventions and treatment options for the mentally ill. Students will explore a recovery-oriented, empathic and holistic approach to psychiatric and mental health nursing practice. Preventative mental health strategies, and current and emerging interventions will assist students to develop the necessary knowledge, skills and attitudes to interact effectively with individuals and their families.
Requisites
14-June-2026
14-June-2026
Learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
- Analyse the care received by people requiring mental health intervention; and appraise the theories and concepts of mental illness
- Explore the implications of the Victorian Mental Health Act (2014) on the care of people receiving mental health care within the framework of recovery oriented nursing practice
- Undertake a comprehensive mental health assessment including mental state examination, substance use, trauma and discussion of other risk assessment/diagnostic tools
- Utilise therapeutic communication skills to form a relationship with people requiring care from a mental health professional
- Critically analyse therapeutic interventions used in the care of people who are receiving care in a mental health environment
- Utilise contemporary research and recovery model to inform the care of a person with a mental health illness
Teaching methods
Hawthorn
| Activity Type | Activity | Total Hours | Number of Weeks | Hours Per Week | Venue Type and Activity Detail |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Lecture | 16 | 8 weeks | 2 | asynchronous |
| On-campus | Class | 16 | 8 weeks | 2 | Tutorial |
| On-campus | Practical | 16 | 8 weeks | 2 | Simulation |
| Placement | Placement | 160 | 4 weeks | 40 | Professional experience placement |
| Specified Activities | Various | 16 | 8 weeks | 2 | Discussion boards, Readings, Group work |
| Unspecified Activities | Various | 76 | 8 weeks | 9.5 | Independent study, Assignment preparation, Revision |
| Total Hours: | 300 | Total Hours (per week): | 57.5 | ||
Assessment
| Type | Task | Weighting | ULO's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assignment | Individual | Pass/Fail | 4,5,6 |
| Professional experience placement, Australian Nursing Standards Assessment Tool (ANSAT) | Individual | Pass/Fail | 1,2,3,4,5,6 |
| Professional experience placement 3 Competency Assessments | Individual | Pass/Fail | 1,2,3,4,5,6 |
| Online Quiz | Individual | Pass/Fail | 1,2,3,4,5 |
Content
- Roles, functions and responsibilities of nurses engaging in a therapeutic interaction with a person with a mental health condition
- Person-centred mental health assessment and risk assessment
- Ethical and legal implications arising from mental illness and mental health nursing
- Evidence-based practice and the role of research in mental health care
- The impact of comorbidity and implications for nursing
- Planning care for a person requiring mental health intervention
- The interdisciplinary team, working in partnership with the consumer
- Recognising and responding to Mental Health conditions across the lifespan
- Treatment modalities utilised in contemporary mental health
- The cultural context of mental health in Australia
- The role of the nurse in the Forensic Mental Health context
Graduate Attributes:
- Communication 1 - Verbal Communication (GA1)
- Teamwork 1 - Collaboration and negotiation (GA3)
- Teamwork 2 - Teamwork roles and processes (GA4)
Study resources
Reading materials
A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.