Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2025 (28/07/2025 - 22/11/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Nursing, Midwifery & Social Wk
This course is an inter-professional introduction to mental health practice for nursing, social work and midwifery students. Content has been developed in conjunction with senior mental health clinicians in Queensland to ensure both contemporary practical relevance and that students will be equipped to meet industry expectations of new graduates. The course is taught in a highly interactive fashion and, inevitably, class recordings will not fully capture learning opportunities. Regular attendance and pre-session reading is therefore essential.
Welcome to SWSP3027.
As the mental health field is predominantly inter-professional in service design, so this course includes nursing, social work and midwifery students. Our goal is to provide you with a contemporary, evidence-based orientation to nursing in the field, with an emphasis on the skills and knowledge you will need to begin practice.
Two points:
First, it is not possible to study mental illness without engaging with potentially confronting issues, such as suicide, sexual abuse, racism and violence. The teaching team are focused on maintaining a learning context which is respectful and inclusive. At the same time, as student midwives, social workers and nurses, it will be important that you exercise self-care and develop resilience in your practice and study. All students are expected to engage with all aspects of the course, but if you find yourself struggling with course content at any time, reach out to any member of the teaching team.
Second, all lectures are recorded, as per standard UQ practice, but the Workshops – which link directly to your assessment task - are student activity-based and recording will not be possible. In the weeks the workshops are offered, students are able to choose one of six sessions to attend. This is done to ensure all students will have an opportunity to participate.
We look forward to working with you all this semester.
ASWEAS Required Curriculum Content Areas covered in this course:
The Bachelor of Social Work (Hons) program is accredited by the Australian Association of Social Workers. The Australian Social Work Education and Accreditation Standards (2020) stipulates that accredited social work programs are required to include content that addresses the five core curriculum areas listed below. This course contains content in the following curriculum areas:
1. Constructions of social work purpose, place, and practice.
2. Power, oppression, and exploitation.
4. Culture, identity, and discrimination.
5. Psychosocial health and wellbeing across the lifecycle.
The BSocWk(Hons) program will undergo re-accreditation in 2026 under the new ASWEAS (2024), which outlines updated required curriculum. This course content maps to the following:
1. Social worker values and professional identity.
2. Approaches to social work.
Course requirements
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
SWSP3026
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Dr Glenda Hawley
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Aims and outcomes
This course provides the foundational knowledge necessary for new practitioners to understand key issues of mental health practice.Particular skills in communication and critical thinking are emphasised.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
have a broad and coherent body of knowledge of mental illness and the underlying concepts and values of theoretical models informing contemporary mental health service delivery;
LO2.
demonstrate critical thinking and judgement to analyse, consolidate and synthesise knowledge related to the lived experience of mental health and mental illness.
LO3.
understand the disciplinary and multidisciplinary contributions to the delivery of mental health services and have the skills to appropriately communicate knowledge and information in a variety of contexts.
LO4.
have a critical appreciation of the significance of ethical, person centred and holistic care for those with mental health concerns and their families.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quiz |
Inspera Quiz 1
|
10% |
15/08/2025 - 18/08/2025
From 6:00pm 15 August until 6:00pm 18 August |
| Quiz |
Inspera Quiz 2
|
20% |
8/09/2025 - 12/09/2025
From 1:00pm 8 September until 1:00pm 12 September. |
| Quiz |
Inspera Quiz 3
|
10% |
24/09/2025 - 26/09/2025
From 1:00pm 24 September until 1:00pm 26 September |
| Quiz |
Inspera Quiz 4
|
10% |
15/10/2025 - 17/10/2025
From 1:00pm 15 October until 1:00pm 17 October |
| Presentation |
Case Scenario Assignment
|
50% |
10/11/2025 1:00 pm |
Assessment details
Inspera Quiz 1
- Identity Verified
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Quiz
- Weight
- 10%
- Due date
15/08/2025 - 18/08/2025
From 6:00pm 15 August until 6:00pm 18 August
- Other conditions
- Time limited.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04
Task description
An Inspera-based quiz covering course content from Weeks 1-3 will be made available from 6:00pm on 15 August until 6:00pm on 18 August.
- The quiz will consist of 15 multiple-choice questions.
- Students are required to install the UQ Inspera secure browser on their device before taking the quiz.
- The quiz is open-book.
- Students will have 30 minutes to complete the quiz once it has commenced.
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
When submitting your deferred examination request via mySI-net make sure to submit a type: in-semester deferred examination request, not an end of semester deferred examination request.
Inspera Quiz 2
- Identity Verified
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Quiz
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
8/09/2025 - 12/09/2025
From 1:00pm 8 September until 1:00pm 12 September.
- Other conditions
- Time limited.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04
Task description
An Inspera-based quiz covering course content from Weeks 4-6 will be made available from 1:00pm on 8 September until 1:00pm on 12 September.
- The quiz will consist of 25 multiple-choice questions.
- Students are required to install the UQ Inspera secure browser on their device before taking the quiz.
- The quiz is open-book.
- Students will have 45 minutes to complete the quiz once it has commenced.
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
When submitting your deferred examination request via mySI-net make sure to submit a type: in-semester deferred examination request, not an end of semester deferred examination request.
Inspera Quiz 3
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Quiz
- Weight
- 10%
- Due date
24/09/2025 - 26/09/2025
From 1:00pm 24 September until 1:00pm 26 September
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04
Task description
An Inspera-based quiz covering course content from Weeks 7-8 will be made available from 1:00pm on 24 September until 1:00pm on 26 September.
- The quiz will consist of 15 multiple-choice questions.
- Students are required to install the UQ Inspera secure browser on their device before taking the quiz.
- The quiz is open-book.
- Students will have 30 minutes to complete the quiz once it has commenced.
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
When submitting your deferred examination request via mySI-net make sure to submit a type: in-semester deferred examination request, not an end of semester deferred examination request.
Inspera Quiz 4
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Quiz
- Weight
- 10%
- Due date
15/10/2025 - 17/10/2025
From 1:00pm 15 October until 1:00pm 17 October
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04
Task description
An Inspera-based quiz covering course content from Weeks 9-10 will be made available from 1:00pm on 15 October until 1:00pm on 17 October .
- The quiz will consist of 15 multiple-choice questions.
- Students are required to install the UQ Inspera secure browser on their device before taking the quiz.
- The quiz is open-book.
- Students will have 30 minutes to complete the quiz once it has commenced.
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
When submitting your deferred examination request via mySI-net make sure to submit a type: in-semester deferred examination request, not an end of semester deferred examination request.
Case Scenario Assignment
- Team or group-based
- Mode
- Product/ Artefact/ Multimedia
- Category
- Presentation
- Weight
- 50%
- Due date
10/11/2025 1:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04
Task description
This task involves groups of students submitting a recorded case analysis.
For full details available, please refer to the course Blackboard site.
Submission guidelines
This assessment requires students to submit an electronic version of their assignment via Blackboard. The electronic version of your assignment will be submitted via Blackboard, using the Turnitin software.
Please refer to ITS help if you experience difficulties in submitting your assessment in Blackboard or using Turnitin.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Extension requests are submitted online via my.UQ. Extension requests received in any other way will not be approved.
Extension guidelines
- Extension requests should be submitted prior to the assessment deadline.
- Requests for extensions received after the assessment item submission due date may not be approved. Late requests must include evidence of the reasons for the late request as per the guidelines in my.UQ.
- The extension granted should be in proportion to the period of illness or disruption caused by the exceptional circumstances and will typically be no more than the specified maximum extension length for each assessment.
- A maximum of three assessment requests can be submitted for each assessment, and the third request must include an Assessment Management Plan.
- Students who have been ill or unable to attend class for more than 4 weeks in a semester are advised to carefully consider whether they are capable of successfully completing their courses and may need to consider applying for removal of course.
- Students who have a disability or a chronic medical condition (including a mental health condition) are encouraged to meet with a Disability Advisor within Student Services to request a Student Access Plan (SAP) with a clause on extension requests. Students who have an SAP can apply for a 7-day extension.
Outcome of application
Extension requests are generally processed within 2 working days.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 29.99% |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 2 (Fail) | 30 - 46.99% |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 47 - 49.99% |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64.49% |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 5 (Credit) | 64.5 - 74.49% |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 74.5 - 84.49% |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 84.5 - 100% |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
To be eligible to pass SWSP3027, all students must submit the Case Scenario Assignment.
The Inspera quizzes contribute to your overall grade as per the weightings shown above. While it is obvious that undertaking the quizzes will increase students' ability to excel in the course, doing so is optional. It is not necessary to attempt all the quizzes in order to be eligible to pass the course.
Each quiz will ONLY be available for the stated period. Extensions are not available.
Use of AI
AI may be used as one source of information, however students should be mindful of the following:
- the accuracy of information obtained via AI is notoriously unreliable. Errors you duplicate from AI sources are your responsibility, and marks will be deducted. It is not a defence to cite AI as the source of inaccurate information.
- over-reliance on AI to the neglect of academic sources is lazy and unprofessional. Marks for submissions evidencing this will reflect that laziness and lack of professionalism.
- all use of AI must be fully referenced. Failure to do so is plagiarism, and will be managed accordingly.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.
Additional learning resources information
Student Email
Students are provided with a UQ email account and must monitor the account whilst enrolled at UQ. Please see the Information Communication Technology Policy and the Personal use of UQ email section in the Acceptable use of ICT Resources guideline for information regarding the appropriate use of email.
Students must use their UQ email account for all correspondence with academic staff.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 (28 Jul - 03 Aug) |
Lecture |
Introduction. Definitions and models of mental health & illness Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 2 (04 Aug - 10 Aug) |
Workshop |
Classifying diagnoses - using and understanding DSM-5 Students will need access to DSM-5(TR) via UQ Library. Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L04 |
Week 3 (11 Aug - 17 Aug) |
Lecture |
Mental state examination Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 4 (18 Aug - 24 Aug) |
Workshop |
Compiling a MSE Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 5 (25 Aug - 31 Aug) |
Lecture |
Mood disorders and trauma Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L04 |
Week 6 (01 Sep - 07 Sep) |
Lecture |
Pharmacology and mental illness Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 7 (08 Sep - 14 Sep) |
Not Timetabled |
Psychosis and personality disorders [Resources supplied] Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L04 |
Week 8 (15 Sep - 21 Sep) |
Lecture |
Substance use Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 9 (22 Sep - 28 Sep) |
Not Timetabled |
The Law, Case Management and planning [Resources supplied] Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 10 (06 Oct - 12 Oct) |
Lecture |
Eating disorders Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L04 |
Week 11 (13 Oct - 19 Oct) |
Lecture |
Perinatal mental health Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L04 |
Week 12 (20 Oct - 26 Oct) |
Workshop |
Complexities Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 13 (27 Oct - 02 Nov) |
Lecture |
Conclusions Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments for Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.
Course guidelines
School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work Assessment Guidelines.
Please visit the School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work website for information about assessment.