This unit focusses on the mental health assessment and care of clients with mental health problems within physical health care settings.

The key areas which are explored are recognition, assessment, monitoring management and support of these clients by healthcare workers not familiar with caring for patients with mental health issues. Included in the unit is an overview of common mental illnesses, management in Emergency Departments, in-patient areas and primary care, and an outline of the legislation relevant to mental health service users in non-mental health settings.

The unit will be delivered through a combination of lectures and classroom seminars with experienced healthcare professionals, along with service users.

Successful completion of this unit will provide you with the skills and knowledge necessary to address the mental health needs of service users in physical health settings.

This course requires 100% attendance.

Normally students may enter Level 7 (Master's level) study if they have been awarded:

• Undergraduate degree (honours or non-honours)
• An equivalent qualification (the learning outcome of which are demonstrably appropriate in terms of knowledge, understanding and skills) equivalent to 120 credits at Level 5.

If you do not meet this criteria you are still able to apply for this unit but we may ask you to complete a study skills handbook to familiarise yourself with academic writing at Master's degree level. The study skills handbook will be sent to you when we have received your application form.

This unit is also available at Level 6 (degree level).

Fees and funding:

You will need to pay or indicate employer support of payment for unit or course fees to the university.

Applicants working within the NHS or other healthcare providers may be eligible for support with funding from their employer through the Learning Beyond Registration contract with the NHS South of England.

Applicants should contact their employing organisation for further details.

Pre-purchased places

The Faculty of Health & Social Sciences has contractual arrangements with NHS organisations for pre-paid places on specified modules. If you work within Dorset & Somerset or Hampshire & Isle of Wight you may be able to access the pre-paid places. These arrangements allow NHS Trusts to nominate the staff they wish to send on each unit or course.

The pre-arranged agreements allow individuals, such as yourself, a route to access appropriate professional development opportunities that are seen as strategically important to your organisation (in consultation with your Line Manager/Education Co-ordinator). All requests for pre-paid places must first be agreed by your organisation’s Education Lead prior to completing an application.

ILOs 1 - 4 will be assessed by students critically analysing the assessment and care of a service user by presenting a case study (2000 word equivalent).

ILO 5 An account of the underpinning methodology used when analysing the assessment and care of a service user (1000 words)

 Having completed this unit the student is expected to:

1. Critically analyse ways in which the mental health of clients will be recognised, assessed, and appropriately referred. 
2. Demonstrate critical evaluation of approaches to supporting and monitoring services users with mental health needs in non-mental health settings 
3. Identify and explicitly define the key presenting features of a range of common mental illnesses 
4. Critically analyse the mental health care skills required in non-mental health settings
5. Explore underpinning research methodologies for critically analysing the assessment and care of a service user

Course review:

In order to take advantage of new approaches to learning and teaching, as well as developments in practice to benefit our students we regularly review all of our courses. This course is currently going through this process and we will update this page to give you full information about what we will be offering once the review process has concluded.  These changes will come into effect for all new students from September 2025. Applicants will be notified by our admissions team of any changes.