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Course Outlines

PSYCHOL 6503OL - Psychological Health & Wellbeing

Online - Online Teaching 6 - 2025

What does it mean to be healthy and in what ways can psychological health be enhanced or compromised? This course provides an introduction to evidence-based assessment, treatment and prevention. You will form a holistic view of individuals, recognising their behaviours and experiences, from a biopsychosocial perspective. Select topics in mental health, the biological bases of health and behaviour, as well as applications in the fields of Clinical and Health Psychology, will be presented.

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  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code PSYCHOL 6503OL
    Course Psychological Health & Wellbeing
    Coordinating Unit Psychology
    Term Online Teaching 6
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s Online
    Units 3
    Contact 1 to 2 hour online tutorial
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N
    Prerequisites PSYCHOL 6500OL and PSYCHOL 6501OL
    Restrictions Graduate Diploma in Psychology or Graduate Certificate in Psychology
    Assessment Online Assessments and Written Assignments
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Samantha Newell

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from .

    The course has six modules. Students study one module per week. Each module teaches students about a different aspect of psychological health and wellbeing. The six modules are:
    • Module 1: High prevalence mental health conditions
    • Module 2: Low prevalence mental health conditions
    • Module 3: Critically reviewing and communicating mental health theory and research
    • Module 4: Health Psychology
    • Module 5: Psychological applications in health care
    • Module 6: Biological bases of health
  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
    1. Explain features of good psychological health and characteristics of select mental health conditions.
    2. Synthesise key principles of evidence-based assessment, treatment and prevention of select mental health conditions.
    3. Apply a biopsychosocial perspective to health and wellbeing.
    4. Critically evaluate theory and research in the field of health and wellbeing.
    5. Communicate relevant health and wellbeing-related information to varied audiences.
    6. Demonstrate interpersonal skills and teamwork to address issues related to health and wellbeing.
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)

    Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth

    Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.

    		 1,2 ,3, 4, 5, 6

    Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving

    Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.

    		 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

    Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills

    Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.

    		 3, 4, 5, 6

    Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness

    Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.

    		 3, 4, 5, 6

    Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency

    Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.

    		 2, 3, 6

    Attribute 6: Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency

    Graduates have an understanding of, and respect for, Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values, culture and knowledge.

    		 N/A

    Attribute 7: Digital capabilities

    Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.

    		 5

    Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

    Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.

    		 1, 2, 3, 6
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Required readings in Modules 1, 2, and 5 will be taken from:

    • Hungerford, C., Hodgson, D., Bostwick, R., Clancy, R., Murphy, G., De Jong, G., & Ngune, I. (2018). Mental health care (3rd ed.). Wiley.
    The required readings in Modules 3, 4, and 6 will be a selection of individual book chapters (available from the library online) and journal articles. Further details are provided in the modules themselves.

    Online copies of the textbook is available via the 成人大片 library as an e-book. The University library has a limited number of licences for the online version of the textbook used in this course. We advise that students purchase their own copy of this textbook to ensure uninterrupted access to the resource when needed.
    Recommended Resources
    N/A
    Online Learning
    This is a fully online offering. MyUni will be used for all course materials, communications, links to curated resources, online tutorial support and assessments - including submission, grading and feedback.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    Engagement with course content is facilitated by online presentations, interactive online activities, curated readings and resources, and self directed research and study supported by weekly online tutorial sessions. There are six weekly modules with learning scaffolded across the modules to ensure that students develop deep discipline knowledge as well as the academic literacy, research skills and capacity to apply and communicate their understanding as specified for an AQF8 level offering.
      Workload

      The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

      This course is a six week intensive, accelerated learning offering. Students should expect to approximately 25 hours per week engaging with the online content, in private study, attending online tutorials, and completing the coursework assignments.

      Indicative hours per week:
      • 1.5 hours - Tutorial
      • 1 hour - Tutorial Preparation
      • 9 hours - Assessment related tasks
      • 10 hours - Engaging with online content (e.g, video presentations, podcasts, directed research activities, discussions, interactive tasks)
      • 3.5 hours - Readings
      Learning Activities Summary
      The course has six modules. Students study one module per week. The modules, and their indicative content, are:

      Week 1: High prevalence mental health conditions
      • Overview of definitions and key concepts related to psychological health and wellbeing.
      • Explanation of good psychological health, and characteristics of select high prevalence (common) mental health conditions.
      • Overview of key principles in evidence-based assessment, treatment, and prevention of select high prevalence mental health conditions.

      Week 2: Low prevalence mental health conditions
      • Overview of characteristics of select low prevalence (uncommon) mental health conditions.
      • Explanation of key principles in evidence-based assessment, treatment, and prevention of select low prevalence mental health conditions.
      • Overview of ethical considerations and national standards related to mental health.

      Week 3: Critically reviewing and communicating mental health theory and research
      • Explanation of the importance of the critical evaluation of theory and research in the field of health and wellbeing.
      • Overview of the processes involved in the critical evaluation of theory and research in the field of health and wellbeing, including how to synthesise and communicate information to varied audiences.
      • Explanation of stakeholders, and channels of communication in the field of health and wellbeing.
      • Explanation of the characteristics of effective teams and select interpersonal skills.

      Week 4: Health Psychology
      • Overview of the key features of Health Psychology, including clinical health psychology and health promotion activities.
      • Explanation of the psychology of pain.
      • Overview of the role of a psychologist in supporting those affected by chronic pain.
      • Explanation of the relationship between the health and wellbeing of individuals and populations.

      Week 5: Psychology applications in health care
      • Overview of the relevance of cognitions in health for (1) effective assessment, (2) treatment, and (3) prevention of psychological and physical health conditions.
      • Explanation of the interplay between the health and wellbeing of individuals, and the society and culture to which they belong.

      Week 6: Biological bases of health
      • Overview of the functions of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems and their roles in homeostasis.
      • Overview of select hormones in in the regulation of psychological health and wellbeing.
      • Explanation of key concepts related to the biology of stress.
      • Overview of functions of areas of the brain, and the effects of damage to specific areas of the brain.
      Specific Course Requirements
      Nil
    1. Assessment

      The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

      1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
      2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
      3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
      4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

      Assessment Summary
      Assessment Task Task Type Due Weighting Course Learning Outcome
      Assessment 1:
      Weekly MCQ Quizzes      		 Summative

      Sunday
      Weeks 1 - 6
      11:59pm

      20%

      		 1, 2, 3
      Assessment 2:
      Case Formulation      		 Summative Sunday
      Week 3
      11:59pm      		 40% 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
      Assessment 3:
      Brochure and Personal Reflection      		 Summative Sunday
      Week 6
      11:59pm      		 40% 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
      Assessment Related Requirements
      Assignment are submitted via Turnitin. All assignments are due by 11:59pm on the Sunday at the end of the week in which they are due. A penalty of 5% per day applies for late submissions.

      Extensions are granted on medical, compassionate or other special circumstances recognised under the University’s Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy. The completed extension application form and any documentation (such as a medical or counsellor's certification) should be emailed to the course coordinator and submitted before the due date. The course coordinator will consider the request in the light of the case made and University deadlines, and may grant an extension of up to three days.
      Assessment Detail

      Assessment 1: Weekly Multiple-Choice Quizzes (20%, due weeks 1- 6)
      In these weekly quizzes, students will demonstrate their understanding and application of core content from modules 1 to 6.

      Assessment 2: Case Formulation (40%, 1500 words, due week 3)
      Students will watch a video of a fictional client who has experienced mental health issues. After watching the video, students will answer a series of questions about the client, their mental health concerns, and possible treatments for those concerns.

      Assessment 3: Brochure and Personal Reflection (40%, due week 6)
      This is a two-part assessment:

      • Part 1: Brochure (20%, 500 words, group assessment, due week 6). In small groups, students will prepare a brochure suitable for presentation to members of the public. The brochure will present information about the evidence-based prevention and/or treatment approach for either a mental health concern, or a physical health condition (from a psychological perspective).
      • Part 2: Personal Reflection (20%, 750 words, individual assessment, due week 6). In this reflective piece, students will consider the strengths and limitations of their interpersonal skills, challenges they experienced in the group work, and areas where there is room to improve their interpersonal and teamwork skills.
      Submission
      Online submission via Turnitin.
      Course Grading

      Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

      M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
      Grade Mark Description
      FNS   Fail No Submission
      F 1-49 Fail
      P 50-64 Pass
      C 65-74 Credit
      D 75-84 Distinction
      HD 85-100 High Distinction
      CN   Continuing
      NFE   No Formal Examination
      RP   Result Pending

      Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

      Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

      Final results for this course will be made available through .

    2. Student Feedback

      The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

      SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

    3. Student Support

      Counselling for Fully Online Postgraduate Students

      Fully online students can access counselling services here:

      Phone: 1800 512 155 (24/7) 

      SMS service: 0439 449 876 (24/7) 

      Email: info@assureprograms.com.au

      Go to the  to learn more, or speak to your Student Success Advisor (SSA) on 1300 296 648 (Monday to Thursday, 8.30am–5pm ACST/ACDT, Friday, 8.30am–4.30pm ACST/ACDT)

    4. Policies & Guidelines

      This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.

    5. Fraud Awareness

      Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student鈥檚 disciplinary procedures.

    The 成人大片 is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The 成人大片 therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.
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