Course Title: Work with people with mental health issues

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2025

Course Code: OHTH5925C

Course Title: Work with people with mental health issues

Important Information:

This course is delivered and assessed in a cluster with-

  • CHCMHS007- Work effectively in trauma informed care

School: 535T Social Care and Health

Campus: City Campus

Program: C4429 - Certificate IV in Youth Work

Course Contact: Dianne Mackay

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 99254454

Course Contact Email: dianne.mackay@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Nominal Hours: 80

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

None

Course Description

In this course, you will learn how to work with people who are experiencing mental health issues and work effectively in a trauma informed care model.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CHCMHS001 Work with people with mental health issues

Element:

1.1 Communicate in a way that develops and maintains respect, hope, trust and self-direction 1.2 Work in a way that reflects and prioritises the person's right to self define and direct their own recovery 1.3 Recognise and respect the person's social, cultural and spiritual differences 1.4 Support the person to understand and exercise their rights 1.5 Maintain confidentiality and privacy of the person within organisation policy and protocols

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Communicate in a way that develops and maintains respect, hope, trust and self-direction 1.2 Work in a way that reflects and prioritises the person's right to self define and direct their own recovery 1.3 Recognise and respect the person's social, cultural and spiritual differences 1.4 Support the person to understand and exercise their rights 1.5 Maintain confidentiality and privacy of the person within organisation policy and protocols

Element:

2.1 Gather and interpret information about the person's needs from the person and other agreed sources 2.2 Identify and discuss with the person services and strategies that support empowerment and recovery 2.3 Support the person to express their own identity and preferences and avoid imposing own values and attitudes 2.4 Identify duty of care and dignity of risk considerations in collaboration with the person

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Gather and interpret information about the person's needs from the person and other agreed sources 2.2 Identify and discuss with the person services and strategies that support empowerment and recovery 2.3 Support the person to express their own identity and preferences and avoid imposing own values and attitudes 2.4 Identify duty of care and dignity of risk considerations in collaboration with the person

Element:

3.1 Provide support that facilitates progress towards the person's goals in collaboration with the person and their care network 3.2 Work in ways that uphold the person's rights 3.3 Adapt service delivery within organisation policies and procedures to meet the person's specific needs and requirements 3.4 Document interactions and services according to organisation policy and procedures 3.5 Respond promptly and supportively to people experiencing distress or crisis 3.6 Work within the limits of own knowledge, abilities and work role and make referrals to other services as indicated by the person's needs

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Provide support that facilitates progress towards the person's goals in collaboration with the person and their care network 3.2 Work in ways that uphold the person's rights 3.3 Adapt service delivery within organisation policies and procedures to meet the person's specific needs and requirements 3.4 Document interactions and services according to organisation policy and procedures 3.5 Respond promptly and supportively to people experiencing distress or crisis 3.6 Work within the limits of own knowledge, abilities and work role and make referrals to other services as indicated by the person's needs

Learning Outcomes


In this course, you will learn how to work with people who are experiencing mental health issues and work effectively in a trauma informed care model. On successful completion of this course, you will have developed and applied the skills and knowledge required to demonstrate competency 


Details of Learning Activities

This course will have face to face on campus sessions

In-class activities:

Teacher directed classroom learning activities

teacher directed group activities/projects

group discussion

class activities to review discussions/lectures

role play

Guest Speakers

Out-of-class activities:

independent assessment -based work,

Reading and research

independent study

    

 

        


Teaching Schedule

Topic

Assessment / Learning activities

 

 

Topic 1

Mental Health and Illness

• What is mental health and illness?

• The MH Continuum

• The youth experience

• Determinants, Diagnostics and Conditions

• Social and historical context

 

Topic 2

Mental Health and Illness

• Recovery oriented practice

• Duty of care & Dignity of risk

• Identifying need – what are you noticing?

• Barriers to help seeking

• Economic and political context

 

Topic  3

What is Trauma?

• Trauma in the brain

• Signs of trauma

• Developmental delays

• Window of tolerance

• Relational trauma

• Attachment, Shame, Violence, Gender and Trauma

Assessment Task 1 Due

Topic  4

Trauma Informed Practice

• Trauma Informed Practice principles

• 3 Rs - Regulate, Relate, Reason (Co-regulation,

attentional bids, validation).

• Coping skills - Emotion recognition and regulation

• Intergenerational trauma and healing

 

Topic 5

 Trauma Informed Practise

• Working with trauma behaviour

• Self-work and building relationships

• Apply self-care to avoid vicarious trauma

• De-escalations and trauma behaviour

Assessment Task 2 due

Topic 6

Introduction to Assessment Task 3 - Role Play

 

Topic 7 

Complete AT3 Role Play

Assessment Task 3 Due

Topic 8 

Complete Assessment Task 4

Assessment Task 4 Due


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

The University Library has extensive resources and provides subject specialist expertise, research advice, help with referencing and support through: 

The University Library has extensive resources and provides subject specialist expertise, research advice, help with referencing and support through: 

The Learning Lab  https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support/learning-lab

The Study Support Hub   https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support/study-support-hub

English for uni workshops  https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support/workshops/english-uni-workshops

  


Overview of Assessment

This course is delivered and assessed in a cluster with-

  • CHCMHS007- Work effectively in trauma informed care

Students are given two (2) attempts for each assessment to demonstrate the required skills. A third (3rd) attempt can only be offered after discussions between teacher and the Program Coordinator and is not automatic. Resubmissions beyond two (2) attempts are at the discretion of the teacher and/or coordinator.


Assessment Tasks

Students enrolled in Vocational Education and Training qualifications are assessed for Competency. To be assessed competent means you have consistently demonstrated the required knowledge and skills at a standard expected in the workplace. To be assessed as Competent in this course, you will need to complete each assessment task to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback from the teacher at the conclusion of each assessment task. You will be given two (2) attempts for each assessment to demonstrate the required skills. A third (3rd) attempt can only be offered after discussions between teacher and the Program Coordinator and is not automatic. Resubmissions beyond two (2) attempts are at the discretion of the teacher and/or coordinator.

Assessment task 1 Knowledge Questions 

Assessment task 2 Knowledge Questions 

Assessment task 3 Product-Role play and reflection report

Assessment task 4 Product-Workplace Portfolio


Assessment Matrix

Students enrolled in Vocational Education and Training qualifications are assessed for Competency.  To be assessed competent means you have consistently demonstrated the required knowledge and skills at a standard expected in the workplace. To be assessed as Competent in this course, you will need to complete each assessment task to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback from the teacher at the conclusion of each assessment task.  You will be given two (2) attempts for each assessment to demonstrate the required skills. A third (3rd) attempt can only be offered after discussions between teacher and the Program Coordinator and is not automatic. Resubmissions beyond two (2) attempts are at the discretion of the teacher and/or coordinator.

       

Other Information

Attendance: 

Your learning experience will involve class-based teaching, discussion, demonstration and practical exercises  

You are required to attend a minimum of 80% of all classes to successfully complete each unit and all timetabled sessions. This will allow you to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring you the maximum opportunity to complete this course successfully.

information about your studies: 

You can access My Studies through the RMIT website for information about timetables, important dates, assessment dates, results and progress, Canvas etc.   https://www.rmit.edu.au/students 

Extensions of time for submission of assessable work:

If you are prevented from submitting an assessment on time by circumstances outside your control you may apply for an extension of up to seven (7) calendar days in writing (email) to your Program Coordinator one working day BEFORE the due date. Eligibility criteria for application and the form is available from the link: https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment/extensions-of-time-for-submission-of-assessable-work

Where an extension of greater than seven days is needed, you must apply for special consideration.

Special consideration:

If due to illness or other unforeseen circumstance, you are unable to attend on the due date of an assessment (e.g. test, examination, oral, etc.), you may submit an application for special consideration within 5 working days of the due date. If special consideration is granted, you will be given the opportunity to complete/repeat the assessment task at a later date. For advice on this application please visit www.rmit.edu.au/students/specialconsideration or speak to your Program Coordinator.

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism:  

RMIT University has a strict policy on plagiarism and academic integrity. Please refer to the website for more information on this policy.  https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/academic-integrity 

 

Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning:  

Credit transfer is the recognition of previously completed formal learning (an officially accredited qualification). 

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is an assessment process that allows you to demonstrate competence using the skills you have gained through experience in the workplace, voluntary work, informal or formal training or other life experiences.   

Please speak to your teacher if you wish to discuss applying for Credit Transfer or RPL for the unit(s) of competency addressed in this course.  https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/enrolment/apply-for-credit

  

Course Overview: Access Course Overview