Youth Mental Health

Unit Code

00744

Department/Institution Offering Unit

Mental Health Services for Kids and Youth
35 Poplar Road
Parkville
Victoria 3052 Australia

web: www.psychiatry.unimelb.edu.au/ and www.eppic.org.au/

Unit Points

Research Points: 87.5

Coursework Points: 12.5

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Contacts

Unit Coordinator/s:

Dr Andrew Chanen
Mental Health Services for Kids and Youth
35 Poplar Road
Parkville
Victoria 3052 Australia

tel: +61 3 9342 2800
fax: +61 3 9342 2944
email: achanen@unimelb.edu.au

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Overall Objectives

• To provide an introduction to research and clinical issues in the field of youth mental health.
• To provide an introduction to the process and practice of research in psychiatry.
• To develop an understanding of the role of research in the development of clinical practice.
• To develop a critical understanding of the literature in the student's chosen field of interest and to use this to develop and complete a research project in this field of interest.

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Content

Coursework: Intermediate Epidemiology and Biostatistics OR Qualitative Health Research.
Students will also be provided with an introduction to psychiatry through a lecture series one morning a week for the first 9 weeks.

Research: The major component of this course will be a clinical research project performed under the supervision of a member of the Department of Psychiatry in an aspect of youth mental health. This may cover one or more of the following areas: first episode psychosis, prevention of psychosis, personality disorders, deliberate self-harm, mood and/or anxiety disorders, eating disorders, substance use disorders, mental health in primary care and prevention and early intervention for mental disorders.

Sample Research Topics:

1. Assessment of 1-2 year outcome following a prevention and early intervention program for Borderline Personality Disorder in young people.
2. Investigation into predictors of relapse and recurrence of depression in adolescents.
3. Investigation into the prevalence of substance use disorders in young people presenting with non-psychotic mental disorders.
4. Emotion recognition and first episode psychosis.
5. Evaluation of a multi-family psychoeducation program for first episode psychosis.
6. The role of stress in the transition from prodrome to first episode psychosis.

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Assessment Breakdown

Research Component: 87.5 points
Research Report (up to 9000 words): 85%
Supervisor's Evaluation: 15%

Coursework Component: 12.5 points
Intermediate Epidemiology and Biostatistics and Qualitative Health Research will be assessed as per subject descriptions.

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Student Numbers

Number of places available:
2