The course has six modules. Students study one module per week. Each module teaches students about a different aspect of psychological health and wellbeing. The six modules are:

• Module 1: High prevalence mental health conditions
• Module 2: Low prevalence mental health conditions
• Module 3: Critically reviewing and communicating mental health theory and research
• Module 4: Health Psychology
• Module 5: Psychological applications in health care
• Module 6: Biological bases of health

On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Explain features of good psychological health and characteristics of select mental health conditions.
2. Synthesise key principles of evidence-based assessment, treatment and prevention of select mental health conditions.
3. Apply a biopsychosocial perspective to health and wellbeing.
4. Critically evaluate theory and research in the field of health and wellbeing.
5. Communicate relevant health and wellbeing-related information to varied audiences.
6. Demonstrate interpersonal skills and teamwork to address issues related to health and wellbeing.

Required readings in Modules 1, 2, and 5 will be taken from:

Hungerford, C., Hodgson, D., Bostwick, R., Clancy, R., Murphy, G., De Jong, G., & Ngune, I. (2018). Mental health care (3rd ed.). Wiley.

The required readings in Modules 3, 4, and 6 will be a selection of individual book chapters (available from the library online) and journal articles. Further details are provided in the modules themselves.

Online copies of the textbook is available via the University of Adelaide library as an e-book. The University library has a limited number of licences for the online version of the textbook used in this course. We advise that students purchase their own copy of this textbook to ensure uninterrupted access to the resource when needed.

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This is a fully online offering. MyUni will be used for all course materials, communications, links to curated resources, online tutorial support and assessments - including submission, grading and feedback.

Engagement with course content is facilitated by online lectures, interactive online activities, curated readings and resources, and self directed study supported by weekly online tutorial sessions. There are six weekly modules with learning scaffolded across the modules to ensure that students develop deep discipline knowledge as well as the academic literacy, research skills and capacity to apply and communicate their understanding as specified for an AQF8 level offering

The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

Modules include evidence-based assessment, treatment and prevention; national standards, and ethics. The module titles, and indicative topics, are below:

Week One: High prevalence mental health conditions

• Overview of definitions and key concepts related to psychological health and wellbeing.
• Explanation of good psychological health, and characteristics of select high prevalence (common) mental health conditions.
• Overview of key principles in evidence-based assessment, treatment, and prevention of select high prevalence mental health conditions.

Week Two: Low prevalence mental health conditions

• Overview of characteristics of select low prevalence (uncommon) mental health conditions.
• Explanation of key principles in evidence-based assessment, treatment, and prevention of select low prevalence mental health conditions.
• Overview of ethical considerations and national standards related to mental health.

Week Three: Critically reviewing and communicating mental health theory and research

• Explanation of the importance of the critical evaluation of theory and research in the field of health and wellbeing.
• Overview of the processes involved in the critical evaluation of theory and research in the field of health and wellbeing, including how to synthesise and communicate information to varied audiences.
• Explanation of stakeholders, and channels of communication in the field of health and wellbeing.
• Explanation of the characteristics of effective teams and select interpersonal skills.

Week Four: Health Psychology

• Overview of the key features of Health Psychology, including clinical health psychology and health promotion activities.
• Explanation of the psychology of pain.
• Overview of the role of a psychologist in supporting those affected by chronic pain.
• Explanation of the relationship between the health and wellbeing of individuals and populations.

Week Five: Psychology applications in health care

• Overview of the relevance of cognitions in health for (1) effective assessment, (2) treatment, and (3) prevention of psychological and physical health conditions.
• Explanation of the interplay between the health and wellbeing of individuals, and the society and culture to which they belong.

Week Six: Biological bases of health

• Overview of the functions of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems and their roles in homeostasis.
• Overview of select hormones in in the regulation of psychological health and wellbeing.
• Explanation of key concepts related to the biology of stress.
• Overview of functions of areas of the brain, and the effects of damage to specific areas of the brain.

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Assessment Task	Task Type	Due	Weighting	Hurdle	Learning Outcome
MCQ	Summative	Sunday 11:59pm weekly	30%	No	1, 3
Critical Essay	Summative	Sunday 11:59pm Week 3	40%	No	1, 2, 4, 5
Health Promotion Brochure	Summative	Sunday 11:59pm Week 6	20%	No	1, 2, 3, 5, 6
Reflection on Interpersonal Skills	Summative	Sunday 11:59pm Week 6	10%	No	6

Assignments are submitted via Turnitin. All assignments are due by 11:59pm on the Sunday at the end of the week in which they are due. A penalty of 5% per day applies for late submissions.

Extensions are granted on medical, compassionate or other special circumstances recognised under the University’s Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy. The completed extension application form and any documentation (such as a medical or counsellor's certification) should be emailed to the course coordinator and submitted before the due date. The course coordinator will consider the request in the light of the case made and University deadlines, and may grant an extension of up to three days.

Assessment 1: Multiple-Choice Quizzes (25% due weeks 1,2,4,5,6)
In these quizzes, students will demonstrate their understanding and application of core content from modules 1,2,4,5 and 6.

Assessment 2: Brochure, Report, and Reflection (40%, elements due weeks 4 and 5)
This assignment has three elements:

• Part 1: Brochure 500 words (20%; Group Assessment). Due Week 4. Part 1A (15%): In small groups, students will prepare a brochure suitable for presentation to members of the public. The brochure will present information about the evidence-based prevention and/or treatment approach for either a mental health concern or a physical health condition, from the perspective of psychology. Details to be provided in the course. Part 1B (5%): Students will assess and provide feedback to fellow group members on the quality of their interpersonal and teamwork skills, and receive feedback from group members on the quality of their own interpersonal skills.

• Part 2: Justification Report 750 words (10%; Individual Assessment) Due Week 4. Students will prepare a short report for an academic audience reflecting upon and justifying the choices made in preparing the brochure content.

• Part 3: Reflection 750 words (10%; Individual Assessment) Due Week 5. In this reflective piece, students will consider the strengths and limitations of their interpersonal skills, challenges they experienced in the group work, and areas where there is room to improve their interpersonal and teamwork skill.

Assessment 3: Critical Essay (35%, due end of week 6)
Students will summarise and critically evaluate theory and research related to a mental health condition.

Fully online course with e-submission and marking.

Counselling for Fully Online Postgraduate Students

Fully online students can access counselling services here:

Phone: 1800 512 155 (24/7) 

SMS service: 0439 449 876 (24/7) 

Email: info@assureprograms.com.au

Go to the Study Smart Hub to learn more, or speak to your Student Success Advisor (SSA) on 1300 296 648 (Monday to Thursday, 8.30am–5pm ACST/ACDT, Friday, 8.30am–4.30pm ACST/ACDT)