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Faculty of Science & Health

NS5113 | Contemporary Issues in Child & Adolescent Mental Health

NS5113 | Contemporary Issues in Child and Adolescent Mental Health 

Course summary

Who should apply?

This module will appeal to all graduates, early and mid-career professionals who work with, or who aspire to work with children, young people, and their families in various capacities. The module is suitable to individuals from across different disciplines, including, but not limited to health and social care professionals, educationalists, youth workers, Garda Siochana and related areas such as those working in community, voluntary and non-governmental organisations.  

Module Aim

In this module, students will critically explore contemporary and emerging trends in acute and community-based health and wellbeing care for children and adolescents with mental health issues. The module will enhance and develop students' theoretical knowledge and understanding of the skills necessary for the assessment and interdisciplinary care support for children and adolescents with a range of mental health issues across a variety of settings. Students will critically evaluate approaches that provide compassionate mental health care and consider innovative ways of developing ethical, culturally sensitive, age-appropriate, evidence-based practice.

Learning outcomes

On completion of this module and following a period of personal study, the student will be able to:

  1. Critically analyse contemporary and emerging trends in the organisation and delivery of mental health services provision in children and adolescents in acute and community settings.
  2. Critically examine developmental stages in childhood including the conceptualisation and assessment of positive aspects of development and their role in the promotion of child and adolescent mental health and wellbeing.
  3. Appraise and enhance knowledge of the skills required to work with children and adolescents using evidenced based psychotherapeutic techniques.
  4. Critically review approaches/models of health and social care including the application of legislative guidelines and clinical governance frameworks in mental health.
  5. Examine risk assessment and management strategies for working safely with young people with a range of mental health conditions in the acute and community setting.

Course Schedule

The module will be delivered in the School of Nursing, Psychotherapy and Community Health in DCU (Glasnevin Campus) in Semester 2 (January to May) 2024. The module requires 22 contact hours for students and a blended teaching approach is used. This comprises of online synchronous classes once a week from 6pm to 8pm and approximately 4- 6 hours of face-to-face lectures on DCU campus. 

Credit / Level:   Level 9, 10 ECTS Credits 

Cost of module:   €1,050 

Applications will close:    5.00 pm, Monday 20th November 2023.

How to apply

Email: science@dcu.ie for an application form or click: https://www.dcu.ie/snpch/professionaldevelopment.

Application form, CV, passport size photo in jpg/png format and one form of Identification should be uploaded and submitted to science@dcu.ie by Monday 20th November 2023

For further details, contact:

Ms Colleen O’Neill
T: 01 7007175     E: colleen.oneill@dcu.ie