Overview

This unit will give students a comprehensive understanding of issues related to the definition of mental disorders, and the nature of psychological disorders as well as the treatment approaches. Legal issues in mental health and the role of psychopharmacology will also be introduced and discussed. Specific focus is placed on the understanding of anxiety and depression within the clinical and non-clinical contexts.

Requisites

Prerequisites
PSC60014 Counselling Processes and Interventions
PSC60013 Theories and Foundations of Counselling
PSC60012 Specific Skills in Counselling
PSC60011 Professional Ethics and Supervision

Rules

Pre-requisite
PSC60014 Counselling Processes and Interventions
OR
PSC60013 Theories and Foundations of Counselling
OR
PSC60012 Specific Skills in Counselling
OR
PSC60011 Professional Ethics and Supervision

Equivalent
HAYS422 - Assessment and Treatment of Psychological Disorders

Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  • Describe the diagnostic criteria and recognise the clinical features of Anxiety, Depression, and other common Mental Disorders
  • Manage anxiety, depression, and other common mental disorders from a counselling perspective
  • Identify the psychological factors and indicators for suicide risk, and develop a basic suicide risk and crisis risk management / intervention plan

Teaching methods

Singapore

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
Face to Face Contact (Phasing out)
Lecture		3.00 9 weeks 27
Specified Learning Activities (Phasing out)
Various		6.00 9 weeks 54
Unspecified Learning Activities (Phasing out)
Independent Learning		7.67 9 weeks 69
TOTAL150

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
Case StudiesIndividual 40% 3 
EssayIndividual 60% 1,2 

Content

  • Overview of common mental disorders, including depression and anxiety
  • Counselling approaches to address common mental health disorders
  • Overview of suicide statistics in Singapore
  • Suicide prevention and crisis management

Study resources

Reading materials

A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.