Essentials of Mental Health Practice

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate critical awareness of the contemporary and socio-cultural contexts of mental health and a comprehensive understanding of core mental health conditions relevant to professional practice
• Demonstrate a comprehensive and critical understanding of approaches in mental health including identification, holistic patient risk assessment and evaluation of mental state
• Demonstrate critical awareness of the application of relevant ethical & legal frameworks in mental health
• Demonstrate critical insight of the importance of a person-centred and multiprofessional approach to patient care.
• Critically evaluate and synthesise current mental health research and apply the evidence base to professional practicerisk management

Contemporary issues in mental health   

• Understanding the role of the clinician in actualising the parity of esteem, and the contextualisation of mental health stigma
• Biopsychosocial model of mental health
• Equity, diversity, inclusion in mental health
• Mental health policy 

Mental Health Conditions

• Common mental health conditions: anxiety disorders, depressive disorders
• Severe Mental Illness: Psychotic Disorders, Mood Disorders
• Personality Disorders
• Mental health in pregnancy
• Child & Adolescent Mental Health awareness  

Patient assessment and interventions

• Introduction to physical and mental health interface (including pharmacological interventions)
• Mental state examination
• Enhanced risk stratification and safety netting
• Patient centered and collaborative decision making
• Effective multiprofessional working  

Ethical, legal and professional issues

• Accountability, professionalism and ethics of working as an autonomous and independent health care practitioner
• Informed consent for patient assessment and management
• Relevant legislative frameworks including Mental Capacity Act (2005) and Mental Health Act (1983)
• Safe, collaborative and defensible decision making    

Communication

• Importance of awareness of mental health related stigma and the importance of developing effective therapeutic relationships
• Documentation and referral to multi-professional team
• Developing effective service user/ practitioner relationships

Teaching strategy: Lectures (critical reflection of clinical experiences), Self-directed learning (online learning/guided studies, reading), and Practice (simulated practice, problem based learning and case scenarios)

Mode of delievery:  Onsite on 12 and 26 February, 12 and 26 March 2025; online on 18 March  and 15 April 2025 (assessment)

Assessment: formative submission and summative presentation (case presentatioon)

Eligibility: 
Level 6: 

• Proficiency in English
• Evidence of a level 5 award (DipHE, FD, or equivalent) or evidence of previous level 6 study
• A minimum of 1 years work experience across related field
• Professional registration (For example HCPC, NMC, GMC, etc)

Level 7: 

• Proficiency in English
• Evidence of a level 6 award - BSc, BSc (Hons) or evidence of 30 credits level 6 study where the applicants have achieved 60% or above, or international equivalent
• A minimum of 1 years work experience across related field
• Professional registration (For example HCPC, NMC, GMC, etc)