Program Overview

Program Overview

The Diploma of Health Science (Mental Health) is a foundation-level program that equips graduates with the knowledge, understanding, skills, and attitudes necessary to provide mental health care and support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients, their families, and communities.

Award Names and Availability

The course includes the following award:

• Diploma of Health Science (Mental Health) - DipHlthSc(MentalHlth) Availability is subject to change, and students are advised to verify prior to enrolment.

Duration and Admission

Normal Course Duration

The normal course duration for the Diploma of Health Science (Mental Health) is:

• Full-time: 1.0 year (2.0 sessions)
• Part-time: 2.0 years (4.0 sessions)

Admission Criteria

To be admitted to the Diploma of Health Science (Mental Health), applicants must:

• Demonstrate an aptitude to undertake this course through previous relevant experiences in the field of mental health and Indigenous issues
• If required, have completed a bridging program

Credit and Articulation

Credit

Charles Sturt University credit regulations will apply, and credits will be assessed and given for relevant prior learning in the field of mental health, mental health nursing, Indigenous health, and Indigenous mental health.

Articulation

The Bachelor, Associate Degree, and Diploma make up an articulated set of courses, and credit is given in each higher-level course for the subjects completed in the lower-level course.

Graduation Requirements

To graduate, students must satisfactorily complete 64 points.

Course Structure

The course structure includes the following subjects:

• MHP105 Introduction to Primary Health Care: Mental Health
• MHP109 The Body, Illness and Health
• MHP111 Clinical 1
• MHP112 History, Social and Emotional Wellbeing
• MHP113 Introduction to Pharmacology in Mental Health
• MHP114 Human Development Across the Lifespan
• MHP115 Introduction to Substance Use, Alcohol and Other Drugs
• MHP209 Mental Health, Law and Ethics
• MHP211 Clinical 2
• MHP212 Healing Our Spirit: Grief, Loss and Yarning
• MHP213 Crisis and Assessment Management
• MHP214 Primary Health Care: Community Development
• MHP216 Suicide Prevention

Workplace Learning and Residential School

The course includes workplace learning and residential school components, which are integral to the program's practical and theoretical aspects.