Unit Synopsis

The focus of this unit is on the multiple factors, personal, interpersonal and contextual, that influence psychosocial health and wellbeing across the life cycle. You will examine and critique dominant discourses of mental and physical health. You will analyse the normative and excluding approaches currently used to describe and explain complex and diverse phenomena such as disability, mental health, sexual identity and the ageing process. You will assess the challenges of socio-economic status, life opportunities, trauma and environment on the mental and physical health and wellbeing of individuals, groups and communities. Also, you will examine and critique theories of loss and grief, trauma and resilience and explore the risk and protective factors for mental and physical health and wellbeing provided by interpersonal relationships across the life cycle. This knowledge will be integrated with strategies for inclusive professional practice. Throughout the unit, particular consideration will be given to the continuing impact on the physical and mental health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples of Australia’s history of colonisation, displacement and discrimination.

Details

Unit Availabilities from Term 2 - 2025

Attendance Requirements

All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).