UnitLevel 1Undergraduate

MHS1101 Introduction to mental health and contemporary mental health needs

Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

MHS1101 Introduction to mental health and contemporary mental health needs is a level 1, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, offered in 2026 in Semester 1 and Semester 2 at Clayton. It has no prerequisites.

Credit points
6
Offered in 2026
Semester 1, Semester 2
Clayton
Assessment
Exam 20%
and 2 other tasks
Workload
12 hours
per semester

This is the 2026 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.

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Requisites

Before MHS1101

Prohibitions

You can't enrol if you have passed any of these.

After MHS1101

No unit lists MHS1101 as a prerequisite in the 2026 handbook.

Enrolment rules

Prerequisite: Monash University's minimum age and English language requirements.

Overview

This unit provides an overview of how mental illness is defined, identified and managed in the Australian mental health care system. You will learn the foundational principles including the major theories used to understand mental illness, how mental disorders are diagnosed, and the ways in which evidence-based treatments are used in the management of these disorders. You will be able to describe the current model of Australian mental health care including the various care settings, the ethical consideration needed, and the frameworks for classification of mental illness. You will learn about mental health across the lifespan and the need to understand the lived-experience of consumers within the mental health care system. 

Offerings in 2026

Teaching periodCampusMode
First semesterClaytonOnline
Second semesterClaytonOnline

Assessment

  • iSAP case study (Part 1-1,600 words; Part 2-5 mins. oral presentation and 2 mins. Q+A)Written
    60%
  • Mid-semester short answer test (2 hours plus 10 mins reading time - 1,500 words - 6 x SAQs)Examination
    20%
  • Analytical report (1,200 words)Written
    20%

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Learning outcomes

When you finish this unit, you should be able to:

  1. 1

    Evaluate the different factors that contribute to mental health and illness.

  2. 2

    Critically review and reflect on the different ways mental health and disorders are conceptualised.

  3. 3

    Distinguish between the signs and symptoms of common forms of mental disorders.

  4. 4

    Discuss the rationale for the common treatments for mental disorders.

  5. 5

    Appraise the needs of people with a lived and living experience of mental health, and mental illness, and discuss how this knowledge is integrated into their personal recovery plan.

  6. 6

    Distinguish between the different professionals, organisations, clinical services and legislation that are involved in mental health care.

Workload and teaching

  • Tutorials7.5 hours

6 hours of teacher directed study per week, comprising 6 hours of Moodle content (videos, readings, activities).

6 hours per week of self-directed study.

Total per week = 12 hours

Contacts

Unit Coordinators
Ms Karen Dixon
Chief Examiners
Ms Karen Dixon

Common questions

What are the prerequisites for MHS1101?

MHS1101 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.

When is MHS1101 offered?

In 2026, MHS1101 runs in Semester 1 and Semester 2 at Clayton, with an online option.

How much work is MHS1101?

The handbook expects about 12 hours of study across the semester. No students have rated its difficulty yet.

Does MHS1101 have an exam?

Yes. The exam is worth 20% of the final mark, alongside 2 other tasks.

More details

Credit points
6
Level
1
Study level
Undergraduate
Faculty
Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
Organisational unit
School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health
Type
Coursework
EFTSL
0.125
Student contribution
SCA Band 4
Study abroad
Available
Handbook years
20232024202520262027