The PDRS elective subject at the University of Melbourne, School of Social Work

For the last few years, VICSERV has been delivering the Psychiatric Disability Elective Unit for the School of Nursing and Social Work at the University of Melbourne.

The aim of the subject is to provide students with knowledge of psychiatric disability and the principles and practices involved in the PDRS and community mental health sector. Attention will be placed on policies, consumer participation, gender issues and differing service types. Seminar presenters include:

• People with a serious mental illness (consumers of the services in the sector)
• Social work clinicians
• PDRS workers

In 2010, the elective will be offered at a Master’s level for the first time.