| Code | NU6172 |
|---|---|
| Duration | Dates TBC |
| Teaching Mode | Part-Time |
| Fees | 鈧�1,300 See Fees and Costs for full details. |
| Closing Date | 4 Dec 2026 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Start Date | Jan 2027 |
Outline
Module Objective: To develop the competencies necessary to therapeutically engage with people and their family, friends and/or supporters within the context of a holistic mental health assessment & to learn to identify appropriate, evidence-based approaches when working with people who experience mental distress. An emphasis will be placed on the importance of applying theory to inform therapeutic skills, advanced assessment strategies, formulation of shared treatment goals, and effective inter-disciplinary communication in a clinical context.
Module Content: Advanced assessment skills: use of effective communication and engagement skills, bio-psycho-social-spiritual and cultural assessment, integration of recovery principles, standardised methods and tools of assessment, strengths based assessment, multi-disciplinary assessment, risk assessment, recovery assessment ,understanding the application, meaning and impact of diagnosis & working with medication. Formulation of collaborative treatment plan, presentation skills and multi-disciplinary working. This module will also examine attitudes values and responses towards people who experience mental distress and will examine the involvement of different agencies and family, friends and/or supporters in caring with the person who experiences mental distress.
Content in this module incorporates assessment approaches and interventions in the following areas:
- Trauma informed care
- Strengths based assessment, power threat meaning framework
- Substance misuse and dual diagnosis
- Shared decision making and medication management
- Self-harm and suicide
- Bio-psycho-social assessment and diagnosis
24hr(s) Lectures (and Workshops); 48hr(s) Directed Study (Supported Learning); 276hr(s) Other (Distance Learning; Discussion Board Preparation and Participation, Required Reading, Assignment Preparation and Submission, Self-Directed Learning).
Schedule: Workshop dates to be confirmed for 2027. Dates are subject to slight changes.
Assessment: Total Marks 300: Continuous Assessment 300 marks (1 x 3,000 word Casebook (100 marks); Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) (180 marks); E-activities (20 marks)).
Continuous Assessment. No formal written exam.
Module Co-Ordinator: Mr. Peter Kelly, School of Nursing & Midwifery.
Lecturer(s): Staff, School of Nursing & Midwifery.
Why Choose
Learning Outcomes: On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
- Demonstrate a high level of competence in the application of theoretical knowledge to clinical practice.
- Develop a successful therapeutic relationship through the use of advanced interpersonal skills and a critical awareness of the process involved in assessing, collaborating with, and advocating for people who experience mental distress in a clinical context.
- Execute a comprehensive mental health assessment & develop collaborative care plans which includes family, friends and/or supporters.
- Discriminate and select assessment strategies, methods and tools in terms of reliability, validity, specificity, and which are appropriate and sensitive to the person, situation, setting, and context.
- Demonstrate a critical awareness of a range of research-based psychosocial and pharmacological interventions that are effective in meeting the needs of people who experience mental distress and may enable them to enhance their self-management skills.
- Demonstrate a critical awareness of the principles, values and beliefs which underpin and guide the diverse range of assessment frameworks.
- Consider the specific needs of marginalised groups within the assessment process and advocating for their needs in a clinical context and work with a person’s family, friends and/or supporters.
- Demonstrate a critical awareness of the different perspectives around mental health and distress and of the central importance of service users and family, friends and/or supporters experiences and perspectives.
- Document and present assessments and collaborative treatment plans for people with complex needs.
Requirements
Fees and Costs
The fee for this programme is €1,300
- This is payable on application (unless you are sponsored/funded)
- This fee is fully refundable if the programme does not run or you are not offered a place on the programme
About Funding
- Those applying for NMPDU, or other funding should contact the funding body directly for funding applications.
- A guide to indicating NMPDU funding during your application can be found here: ACE Help Hub
- All other funders/sponsors are considered sponsored applications. please follow the Sponsorship Guide for Applicants.
For further information on fees and financial supports please click here.
How To Apply
Before you apply, please prepare the following items which you will need during your application:
- Proof of Identity (Birth Cert, Passport or Driver's Licence)
- Passport-style Photograph
- Copy of your degree parchment/transcript if not a previous UCC graduate.
- English Language Test Report (if applicable)
- Supporting documentation (if required for RPL)
- Programme fee (unless sponsored/funded)
Create an account or login to UCC Apply (click the 'Apply' button below).
- Start a new application
- WHEN ASKED FOR APPLICATION TYPE - YOU MUST CHOOSE: ADULT & CONTINUING EDUCATION
- During the application on the tab titled Academic Level, under Level Selection, select the following options:
- Academic Level: Adult Continuing Education (ACE at UCC)
- Course Type: CPD Credit-Bearing Modules
- Academic Programme: Advanced Mental Health Assessment NU6172
You can view a CPD Application Guide for all Nursing & Midwifery courses here: /en/ace/helphub/