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Course Outline

OCC200 Occupational Therapy in Mental Health

Course Coordinator:Laine Chilman (lchilman@usc.edu.au) School:School of Health - Occupational Therapy

2026Trimester 2

UniSC Sunshine Coast

 Blended learning Most of your course is on campus but you may be able to do some components of this course online.

Please go to unisc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.

What is this course about?

Description

As an occupational therapist, it is important to view health holistically to understand how mental health contributes to our overall health and well-being. Through the course, you will learn about the impact of mental health conditions, occupation-based mental health approaches, and important legislation guiding practice in public and private healthcare settings. Drawing on a range of theories, you will have the opportunity to research and apply culturally responsive strategies to develop your capacity to enhance occupational performance for people experiencing mental health concerns.

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Blended learning
Learning materials – Complete weekly pre-class learning activities. 1hr Week 1 12 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Online large group workshop (recorded). 2hrs Week 1 12 times
Tutorial/Workshop 2 – Face-to-face experiential group workshops (not recorded). 2hrs Week 1 12 times

Course Topics

The course integrates the following topics:

  1. History of mental health practice in occupational therapy
  2. Exploring Stigma and Recovery from the perspective of Lived Experience Experts
  3. Understanding the medical approach to treating mental health conditions
  4. Exploring the occupational therapy role in different mental health practice settings 
  5. Trauma-informed and recovery-based approaches to occupational therapy in mental health
  6. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives of mental health

What level is this course?

200 Level (Developing)

Building on and expanding the scope of introductory knowledge and skills, developing breadth or depth and applying knowledge and skills in a new context. May require pre-requisites where discipline specific introductory knowledge or skills is necessary. Normally, undertaken in the second or third full-time year of an undergraduate programs.

What is the unit value of this course?

12 units

How does this course contribute to my learning?

Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... Graduate Qualities Mapping Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming... Professional Standard Mapping * Occupational Therapy Council of Australia Ltd
1 Characterise the determinants of mental health Knowledgeable
Creative and critical thinker 
3.1, 3.6, 4.1
2 Identify the components of safe, legal, and ethical practice in mental health settings Knowledgeable
Ethical 
1.1, 1.2, 1.7, 1.8, 1.10, 1.14, 3.8
3 Explain roles played by occupational therapy in mental health Knowledgeable
Engaged 
1.7, 3.8
4 Recommend approaches for culturally responsive practices Creative and critical thinker
Empowered 
1.5, 1.6, 1.15, 2.1, 2.2, 2.4, 3.6, 4.4
5 Formulate occupational therapy approaches that are evidence-based and apply clinical reasoning Knowledgeable
Creative and critical thinker
Empowered 
1.16, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3
6 Demonstrate professional behaviour Engaged 
1.16, 2.2, 2.3, 3.7, 4.8

* Competencies by Professional Body

CODE COMPETENCY
Occupational Therapy Council of Australia Ltd
1.1 Complies with the OTBA standards, guidelines and code of conduct
1.2 Adheres to legislation relevant to practice.
1.5 Practices in a culturally responsive and culturally safe manner, with particular respect to culturally diverse client groups.
1.6 Incorporates and responds to historical, political, cultural, societal, environmental and economic factors influencing health, wellbeing and occupations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
1.7 Collaborates and consults ethically and responsibly for effective client-centred and interprofessional practice.
1.8 Adhere to all work health and safety, and quality requirements for practice.
1.10 Practices within limits of her/his own level of competence and expertise.
1.14 Recognises and manages her/his own physical and mental health for safe, professional practice.
1.15 Addresses issues of occupational justice in practice.
1.16 Contributes to education and professional practice development of peers and students.
2.1 Applies current and evidence informed knowledge of occupational therapy and other appropriate and relevant theory in practice.
2.2 Applies theory and frameworks of occupation to professional practice and decision-making.
2.3 Identifies and applies best available evidence in professional practice and decision-making.
2.4 Understands and responds to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health philosophies, leadership, research and practices.
3.1 Addresses occupational performance and participation of clients, identifying the enablers and barriers to engagement.
3.6 Seeks to understand and incorporate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ experiences of health, wellbeing and occupations encompassing cultural connections.
3.7 Reflects on practice to inform and communicate professional reasoning and decision-making.
3.8 Identifies and uses practice guidelines and protocols suitable to the practice setting or work environment.
4.1 Communicates openly, respectfully and effectively.
4.4 Uses culturally responsive, safe and relevant communication tools and strategies.
4.8 Maintains professional collaborative relationships with clients, health professionals and relevant others.

Am I eligible to enrol in this course?

Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.

Pre-requisites

PSY203 and OCC202

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

OCC321

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

Not applicable

Microcredential Information

Not applicable

How am I going to be assessed?

Grading Scale

Standard Grading (GRD)

High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL).

Details of early feedback on progress

We will have a formative quiz early in the scheduled teaching sessions. The quiz question style and content will give you early feedback and help you to keep on track with your learning.

Assessment tasks

Delivery mode Task No. Assessment Product Individual or Group Weighting % What is the duration / length? When should I submit? Where should I submit it?
All 1 Quiz/zes Individual 10% 
20 minutes
 Week 3 Online Test (Quiz)
All 2a Written Piece Group 15% 
2500 words
 Week 6 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check and in class
All 2b Oral Group 15% 
45 minutes
 Refer to Format In Class
All 2c Activity Participation Individual 10% 
Two pages (using the template provided)
 Refer to Format Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 3 Quiz/zes Individual 50% 
60 minutes
 Week 12 Online Test (Quiz)
All - Assessment Task 1:In-class quiz
Goal: 
To check that your learning from the readings and workshops is on track early and prepare you for the final quiz.
Product: Quiz/zes
Authorship Statement:
Format: 
In-class online quiz. Week 3.
A 'blueprint' will be available via Canvas outlining the topics that will be assessed.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
You will be assessed on the causes, presentation, and problems associated with key mental health issues and the role and approaches used by occupational therapy in contemporary practice.
 1 2 4
Generic Skills: 
Problem solving, Applying technologies, Information literacy
All - Assessment Task 2a:Education Session Plan
Goal: 
Design an evidence-informed education session
Product: Written Piece
Authorship Statement:
Format: 
Complete according to the template provided in Canvas.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Explanation of mental health condition
 1 4 5
2 
Description of approach
 2 3 4 5
3 
Practicality of planned in-service session
 5
Generic Skills: 
Communication, Collaboration, Problem solving, Organisation, Information literacy
All - Assessment Task 2b:Education session facilitation
Goal: 
Demonstrate teamwork and group facilitation skills.
Product: Oral
Authorship Statement:
Format: 
As a team, design and deliver an interactive education session for peers. Topics will be allocated by the course coordinator. Deliver your session in week 10, 11 or 12.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Application of groupwork process
 3 4 5 6
2 
Practicality of groupwork intervention
 2 4 5
3 
Quality of verbal and non-verbal communication
 3 6
4 
Time management and effective group dynamics
 6
Generic Skills: 
Communication, Collaboration, Organisation
All - Assessment Task 2c:Group work participation and feedback
Goal: 
Provide constructive feedback to peers.
Product: Activity Participation
Authorship Statement:
Format: 
Complete the feedback template for the group allocated to you by the course coordinator. 
Feedback must be uploaded to Canvas by the end of the week you review the group presentation (Weeks 10 -12)
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Provides constructive and actionable feedback using template provided
 2 3 4 5
Generic Skills: 
Communication, Applying technologies, Information literacy
All - Assessment Task 3:In-class Quiz
Goal: 
Test your ability to recall and apply your learning from the course readings and workshops.
Product: Quiz/zes
Authorship Statement:
Format: 
Online exam - A Blueprint will be available via Canvas.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
You will be assessed on the causes, presentation, and problems associated with key mental health issues and the role and approaches used by occupational therapy in contemporary practice.
 1 2
Generic Skills: 
Problem solving, Applying technologies, Information literacy

Directed study hours

A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.

What resources do I need to undertake this course?

Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.

Prescribed text(s) or course reader

You need regular access to the resource(s) below. Many texts are available as ebooks through the Library at no additional cost.

Required? Author Year Title Edition Publisher
Required Brown, Stoffel, & Muñoz 2019 Occupational Therapy in Mental Health 2nd edition F. A. Davis Company
Recommended Meadows, Farhall, Fossey, Happell, Mcdermott, Rosenberg, Edan, Epstein, Kennedy, & Roper 2021 Mental Health and Collaborative Community Practice: An Australian Perspective 4th edition Oxford University Press

Specific requirements

Learning materials will be available via the Learning Management System (Canvas) and PebblePad. Students should access Canvas for all course requirements. Queries regarding assessment will be addressed on Canvas discussion pages, not by direct email. Other issues can be discussed with your course coordinator via appointment during designated contact hours as specified on Canvas. Students will be expected to wear their UniSC Occupational Therapy uniform for in-class presentations and practice education activities throughout their degree.

How are risks managed in this course?

Risk assessments have been performed for all studio and laboratory classes and a low level of health and safety risk exists. Some risk concerns may include equipment, instruments, and tools; as well as manual handling items within the laboratory. It is your responsibility to review course material, search online, discuss with lecturers and peers and understand the risks associated with your specific course of study and to familiarise yourself with the University’s general health and safety principles by reviewing the online induction training for students, and following the instructions of the University staff.

What administrative information is relevant to this course?

Assessment: Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation. It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline. This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.

Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person. You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.

In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin. This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.

Assessment: Additional Requirements

Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment

Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying:
(a) The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4%; and
(b) The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale

Assessment: Submission penalties

Late submissions may be penalised up to and including the following maximum percentage of the assessment task’s identified value, with weekdays and weekends included in the calculation of days late:
(a) One day: deduct 5%;
(b) Two days: deduct 10%;
(c) Three days: deduct 20%;
(d) Four days: deduct 40%;
(e) Five days: deduct 60%;
(f) Six days: deduct 80%;
(g) Seven days: A result of zero is awarded for the assessment task.

The following penalties will apply for a late submission for an online examination:
Less than 15 minutes: No penalty
From 15 minutes to 30 minutes: 20% penalty
More than 30 minutes: 100% penalty

Links to relevant University policy and procedures

For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:

  • Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
  • Review of Assessment and Final Grades
  • Supplementary Assessment
  • Central Examinations
  • Deferred Examinations
  • Student Conduct
  • Students with a Disability

For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching

Student Charter

UniSC is committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, safe and respectful. The Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students, to achieve these outcomes.

General Enquiries

For course-specific questions, contact your teaching staff or Course Coordinator.  

For other enquiries or to access support, please contact Student Central: 

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