School: Medical and Health Sciences

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Emergency Mental Health Response
  • Unit Code

    PST1106
  • Year

    2017
  • Enrolment Period

    1
  • Version

    2
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
    Online
  • Unit Coordinator

    Miss Lisa Marie HOLMES

Description

This unit explores the range of mental illness and distress which result in situations which require an emergency response. The aetiology of mental illness, the role of stress and support, the impact of culture and the factors which impact upon outcomes will be analysed. The unit examines the practical skills needed in managing tense situations including communication and de-escalation as well as pharmacological interventions in managing acute mental health crises.

Non Standard Timetable Requirements

On-campus and off-campus students are advised that this unit has a compulsory external clinical placement. The theory modules for this unit may however be studied online by off-campus students.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Assess mental health status and the need for emergency care.
  2. Communicate effectively with a person in distress and de-escalate tense situations.
  3. Communicate effectively with other members of the health care team in the management of mental health emergencies.
  4. Examine ethical and legal issues in the response to mental health emergencies.
  5. Explain the impact of stress and support and individual, cultural and environmental factors on mental health outcomes.
  6. Provide appropriate interventions in response to a mental health emergency.

Unit Content

  1. Teamwork in mental health emergencies.
  2. Interventions in mental health emergencies.
  3. Acute mental health assessment.
  4. Ethical and legal issues in mental health emergencies.
  5. Managing distress and tense situations.
  6. Factors which impact upon mental health outcomes.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures, online learning materials, directed activities, readings and discussion board.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
TestOnline Quiz20%
Case Study3 x Clinical Case Studies 30%
Examination ^End of Semester Examination 50%
ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
TestOnline Quiz20%
Case Study3 x Clinical Case Studies 30%
Examination ^End of Semester Examination 50%

^ Mandatory to Pass


Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

PST1106|2|1

School: Medical and Health Sciences

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Emergency Mental Health Response
  • Unit Code

    PST1106
  • Year

    2017
  • Enrolment Period

    2
  • Version

    2
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
    Online
  • Unit Coordinator

    Miss Lisa Marie HOLMES

Description

This unit explores a range of mental illnesses which can present in the pre-hospital environment. The clinical features of these conditions, emergency and therapeutic treatments, mental health support services and the impact culture has on people with mental illness will be discussed. This unit also explores how to approach a tense situation and manage it with communication and de-escalation techniques.

Non Standard Timetable Requirements

On-campus and off-campus students are advised that this unit has a compulsory external clinical placement. The theory modules for this unit may however be studied online by off-campus students.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Assess mental health status and the need for emergency care.
  2. Communicate effectively with a person in distress and de-escalate tense situations.
  3. Communicate effectively with other members of the health care team in the management of mental health emergencies.
  4. Examine ethical and legal issues in the response to mental health emergencies.
  5. Explain the impact of stress and support and individual, cultural and environmental factors on mental health outcomes.
  6. Provide appropriate interventions in response to a mental health emergency.

Unit Content

  1. Ethical and legal obligations in mental health emergencies
  2. Mental illness definitions, symptoms and emergency response including de-escalation techniques.
  3. Mental health assessment, treatments, medication and long term care.
  4. Support and resources available.
  5. Presentations of case studies and lived experiences.
  6. Own and paramedic mental health and well being.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures, online learning materials, directed activities, readings and discussion board.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
TestOnline Quiz20%
JournalPebblepad Workbook30%
Presentation'Crew' Presentation50%
ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
TestOnline Quiz20%
JournalPebblepad Workbook30%
Presentation'Crew' Presentation50%

Core Reading(s)

  • Hungerford, C., Hodgson, D., Clancy, R., Monisse-Redman, M., Bostwick, R., & Jones, T. (2015). Mental health care: : an introduction for health professionals. (2nd ed.). Milton, Qld: John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

PST1106|2|2