Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE SWP3156

 
TITLE Mental Health for Social Work 2

 
UM LEVEL 03 - Years 2, 3, 4 in Modular Undergraduate Course

 
MQF LEVEL 6

 
ECTS CREDITS 2

 
DEPARTMENT Social Policy and Social Work

 
DESCRIPTION The study-unit is aimed to serve as a continuation of Mental Heath for Social Work I (SWP2156). The unit will provide knowledge of the various aspects of mental illness, its aetiology and the various treatment options available for such conditions. The multidisciplinary approach to mental illness is emphasized throughout the whole study-unit.

The disorders that will be included in this study unit are Sexual and Gender Identity Disorders, Psychotic Disorders, Cognitive Disorders, Developmental Disorders, and Organic Brain Syndromes.

The study-unit will conclude with lectures on practical aspects of the role of a social worker in the treatment of mental illness, with particular emphasis on the Mental Health Act.

Study-unit Aims:

The aim of this study-unit is to provide a brief exposure to the world of abnormal psychology. For this reason, a short selection of topics deemed to be the most common and more likely to be encountered in the field of social work will be mostly discussed. The world of psychopathology will be addressed from the fields of psychiatry, psychology and the law.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

• define the complexity and the elusive nature of abnormality;
• distinguish between genetic predispositions to pathology and precipitating factors;
• appreciate the role of the social environment in the triggering and the creating of those conditions related to such disorders;
• recognise the most common forms of personality disorders or other conditions and to identify them.

2. Skills
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

• go beyond populist notions of abnormality and to apply more scientific criteria in identifying and
understanding of such phenomena;
• go beyond personal/gender bias and be able to address such cases in a more objective way;
• report on such cases in technical language and to refer them to specialised care;
• make practical decisions especially in crisis situations.

Suggested Textbook:

Comer, Ronald, J., Fundamentals of Abnormal Psychology, 7th. Edition. Macmillan International Edition. 2014.

Any other textbook which is based on DSM 5 classification.

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Multiple Choice Questions Examination (1 Hour and 30 Minutes) SEM1 Yes 100%

 
LECTURER/S Rachel Cachia
Miriam Agius
Paul Galea
Anna Maria Vella

 

 
The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

https://www.um.edu.mt/course/studyunit