Monash University Handbook 2010 Postgraduate - Course

This course, developed jointly by the School of Psychology, Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine and the Faculty of Education, focuses on the central role of the teacher in the development of optimal mental health in the primary and secondary school population. The course aims to provide teaching and allied staff with both theoretical and practical information on mental health and emotional development together with practical instruction on the use of such understanding in the classroom and in school settings. The two-year structure provides a basic understanding of mental health issues on which specialised counselling and group dynamic skills can be based. The Victorian Department of Education and Early Childhood Development may offer partial support bursaries to eligible students - further information is available from the course administrator.

On completion of this course students will:

• have an appreciation of psychological development from infancy to adolescence
• have acquired an understanding of specific psychiatric and psychological syndromes of childhood and adolescence
• place the child within his/her family, culture, school and the community in relationship to development and symptomatology
• have a working knowledge and understanding of the possibilities of interventions that may be possible within the school, individual, counselling and group in relationship to the detection and understanding of psychological difficulty in their student population
• understand the principles of communication, intervention and referral to appropriate outside agencies and community groups
• participate in group case presentations of classroom difficulties and be able to involve themselves in shared solutions and strategies.

Assessment

Assessment includes a combination of written essays, coursework participation and occasional special projects.

The course consists of four compulsory units.

Year one

• MHT0001 Understanding mental development - child to adolescent
• MHT0002 Mental health - practical considerations

Year two

• MHT0003 Counselling techniques for members of the teaching professions
• MHT0004 Organisational and group aspects of the school environment

Students may exit this course with a Graduate Certificate in Mental Health for Teaching Professions providing all requirements of that award have been met.

Graduate Diploma in Mental Health for Teaching Professions