Studying online
There are now 2 possible online modes for units:
Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.
Click on an offering mode for more details.
Unit Overview
- Description
Good mental wellbeing is a fundamental attribute in today's hectic world for individuals, their families and the community as a whole. Conversely, mental illness is a major cause of disability, diminished quality of life and reduced productivity in Australia. This unit provides students with a detailed understanding of mental health and wellbeing, explores challenges to mental wellbeing at different stages of life, and educates and equips students with strategies to enhance, practice and promote positive lifelong mental wellbeing for themselves and others.
The unit introduces students to a range of interrelated topics that will enable a thorough exploration of what it means to be mentally healthy and how this can be maintained over a lifetime. There is an emphasis on positive psychology which includes teaching and discussion of topics such as positive emotion; engagement; developing positive relationships; sleep; creativity; happiness; and the practice of mindfulness. The unit utilises an interactive and engaging format that will provide students with knowledge and skills that are relevant to maintaining good mental wellbeing throughout the lifespan.
Enrolment for this unit is currently full, please click here to be added to the waitlist.
- Credit
- 6 points
- Offering
Availability Location Mode Not available in 2025 UWA (Perth) Face to face - Details for undergraduate courses
- Level 2 option in the Humanities in Health and Medicine major sequence
- Level 2 elective
- Outcomes
Students are able to (1) describe what it means to be mentally healthy in today's world.; (2) discuss factors that impact on mental health and wellbeing.; (3) analyse the reltionships between factors that impact on mental health and wellbeing.; (4) discuss how positive psychology promotes mental health and wellbeing.; (5) examine how stigma impacts on the lives of people with a mental illness.; (6) analyse strategies that promote mental health and wellbeing at an individual, family and societal level; and (7) discuss strategies for effective advocacy in the field of mental health..
- Assessment
Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) end of semester exam; (2) presentation; and (3) workshop participation. Further information is available in the unit outline.
Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.
- Unit Coordinator(s)
- Dr Kellie Bennett and Dr Zaza Lyons
- Unit rules
Approved quota: 160—first come first served basis - Contact hours
- Lectures: 2 hours per week
Workshop/practical classes: 2 hours per week
- The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
- All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
- Visit the Essential Textbooks website to see if any textbooks are required for this Unit. The website is updated regularly so content may change. Students are recommended to purchase Essential Textbooks, but a limited number of copies of all Essential Textbooks are held in the Library in print, and as an ebook where possible. Recommended readings for the unit can be accessed in Unit Readings directly through the Learning Management System (LMS).
- Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.
Face to face
Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.
Online flexible
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online timetabled
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit includes some synchronous components, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online Restricted
Not available for self-enrolment. Students access this mode by contacting their student office through AskUWA. 100% Online Unit.
NO campus face-to-face attendance. All study and assessment requirements are online only. Unit includes some timetabled activities, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times. In exceptional cases (noted in the Handbook) students may be required to participate in face-to-face laboratory classes when a return to UWA’s Crawley campus becomes possible in order to be awarded a final grade.
External
No attendance or regular contact is required, and all study requirements are completed either via correspondence and/or online submission.
Off-campus
Regular attendance is not required, but student attends the institution face to face on an agreed schedule for purposes of supervision and/or instruction.
Multi-mode
Multiple modes of delivery. Unit includes a mix of online and on-campus study requirements. On campus attendance for some activities is required to complete this unit.