LTH1005 : Understanding Well-Being and Mental Health

Task Description

Students are required to demonstrate their ability to apply what they have learned about mental health and wellbeing to a case study. Students’ awareness and understanding of lived experiences of mental distress across the lifespan will be assessed in addition to their understanding of the mental healthcare system and integrated care.

Rationale

For this final unit assessment, you are being asked to describe in 1000 words how you would offer effective support to a person experiencing mental health challenges in your local area. Using the provided scenario explain how effective support will be provided drawing from all of the unit content.

Part 1: Written Response (1000 words) Write a 1000-word essay (+/-10%) that addresses the following:

1. Discuss factors that may be negatively affecting and/or promoting the mental well-being of Olivia. These may include early childhood experiences as well as psychological, social, spiritual or biological factors.

2. How you would engage with Olivia in order to best enact trauma-informed practice.

3. Where and/or to whom in the health and social care system you would refer Olivia in order for her to receive additional support.

4. Discuss the role lived experience plays in the treatment and support of those suffering from mental health issues.

5. Based on what you have learned about the lived experience in healthcare and service development, discuss what potential benefits Olivia might receive from attending an organisation with peer support workers and program facilitators that are also mothers.

6. Uses a minimum of five references must be used to support your claims.

Task Submission

Written responses will be submitted via Turnitin activity titled “Assessment 2: Case Study” in the Assessments Tasks & Submission section on the Blackboard HLTH1005 site. You must label your submission with your surname and initials and the assessment task's name, e.g: SmithJ_Writing.doc”

Assessment Requirements Summary

The assessment requires students to demonstrate the application of mental health and wellbeing knowledge to a case study, focusing on Olivia, a person experiencing mental health challenges. Key points to address include:

1. Factors affecting mental well-being – psychological, social, spiritual, biological, and early childhood experiences.

2. Trauma-informed engagement – strategies for building trust and supporting Olivia effectively.

3. Referral pathways – identifying health and social care professionals or services for additional support.

4. Role of lived experience – understanding how personal experiences shape treatment and support strategies.

5. Peer support benefits – evaluating how engagement with peer workers and program facilitators who share similar life experiences may aid recovery.

6. Evidence-based support – inclusion of at least five references from scholarly sources.

Approach by Academic Mentor

The Academic Mentor guided the student through a step-by-step process to ensure each section of the assessment was addressed clearly and cohesively:

Step 1: Understanding the Case Study

• The mentor emphasized careful reading of the scenario, noting Olivia’s age, background, and presenting mental health challenges.

• Students were advised to map potential influencing factors on mental health (social, psychological, biological, spiritual, and historical experiences).

Step 2: Identifying Factors Affecting Wellbeing

• The student was guided to discuss both positive and negative factors, e.g., supportive family vs. early trauma, genetic predispositions, and community environment.

• Use of scholarly references to support claims about mental health influences was encouraged.

Step 3: Trauma-Informed Engagement

• The mentor explained key principles of trauma-informed practice: safety, trustworthiness, choice, collaboration, and empowerment.

• The student was prompted to describe specific strategies for engaging Olivia (active listening, empathy, validation, creating a safe environment).

Step 4: Referral to Health and Social Care Services

• The student mapped referral pathways, including general practitioners, psychologists, psychiatrists, community mental health services, social workers, and peer support programs.

• Importance of integrated care and collaboration between services was highlighted.

Step 5: Role of Lived Experience

• The mentor explained how peer support and lived experience can enhance empathy, trust, and practical advice in mental health care.

• The student was encouraged to include evidence from literature showing the positive impact of shared experiences on recovery.

Step 6: Peer Support and Program Facilitators

• Discussion included the benefits of attending programs led by peer workers who are also mothers, such as role modeling, practical coping strategies, emotional support, and reduced stigma.

Step 7: Structuring the Essay

• The mentor suggested a logical flow:

  1. Introduction (brief overview of Olivia and mental health context)

  2. Factors affecting well-being

  3. Trauma-informed engagement strategies

  4. Referral and integrated care pathways

  5. Role of lived experience

  6. Benefits of peer support

  7. Conclusion (summary of strategies and outcomes)

Step 8: Referencing

• The student was reminded to cite at least five scholarly sources in APA format to support claims.

Outcome Achieved

The final outcome was a comprehensive 1000-word essay that:

• Clearly identified factors influencing Olivia’s mental well-being across multiple domains.

• Demonstrated understanding of trauma-informed practice with practical strategies.

• Provided referral recommendations to relevant health and social care professionals.

• Highlighted the importance of lived experience in recovery and support.

• Explained peer support benefits, especially from facilitators who share similar life experiences.

• Integrated evidence-based research from at least five scholarly references.

Learning Objectives Covered

• Application of mental health theory to real-world case studies.

• Understanding factors influencing mental health and wellbeing across the lifespan.

• Development of trauma-informed practice skills.

• Knowledge of healthcare systems and referral pathways.

• Appreciation of the value of lived experience and peer support in mental health care.

• Ability to critically evaluate and reference scholarly literature to support claims.

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