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Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title Mental health & well-being
Module Code NUR1044 (ITS: NS315)
Faculty Nursing, PsyT & Comm Health School Science & Health
NFQ level 8 Credit Rating 5
Description

This module provides the student with the necessary knowledge and skills in assessing/screening, and devising a plan of care under supervision, for a person with intellectual disabilities and mental health issues. The module will examine the prevalence of mental-health disorders in people with intellectual disabilities and the associated risk factors. National and international models of care will be examined, with a focus on the importance of interdisciplinary working. The Recovery model and promoting optimal mental health for the person with intellectual disabilities will be a theme throughout the module.

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate the ability to express opinions on the classifications and legal aspects of intellectual disabilities, mental health and dual diagnosis.
2. Debate the services to support people with intellectual disabilities and mental health issues nationally and internationally.
3. Summarise the need for assessment tools for planning the care and assessing capacity for people with intellectual disability with mental health issues
4. Evaluate the type and range of therapeutic interventions used in the practice settings for dementia and other contemporary mental health concerns.
5. Analyse interdisciplinary approaches used to promote the mental well-being of a person with an intellectual disability.


WorkloadFull time hours per semester
TypeHoursDescription
Lecture24lectures in DCU
Workshop3Tutor facilitated seminars
Tutorial3Student facilitated tutorials
Independent Study97Student directed learning
Total Workload: 127
Section Breakdown
CRN20818Part of TermSemester 2
Coursework0%Examination Weight0%
Grade Scale40PASSPass Both ElementsY
Resit CategoryRC1Best MarkN
Module Co-ordinatorMartina ConwayModule TeacherDeirdre Corby, Michael Mckeon
Assessment Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
AssignmentPresentations and Case Study100%As required
Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories;
RC1: A resit is available for both* components of the module.
RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module.
RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element.

* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite None
Co-requisite None
Compatibles None
Incompatibles None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Classification
The DSM-5 and ICD-11 classification schemata.

Legislation
Legislation and mental health in Ireland

Approaches and responses
Comorbid disorders, adaptive and maladaptive behaviours, affective, and cognitive coping responses. Recovery Model, psychosocial interventions, trauma informed care

Pharmacological interventions
Pharmacological interventions for mental health needs for people with intellectual disabilities

Forensic psychiatry and intellectual disability
Contemporary issues in forensic services for people with intellectual disabilities who offend

Supportive evidence in the speciality of intellectual disabilities and mental health
Current trends in mental health research in intellectual disability

Nursing care
Working with person with intellectual disability who has a mental health issue – the scope of practice.

Family and individual care
Family support and individual care for people with intellectual disabilities who has a mental health needs

Mental health promotion
Promoting mental health wellbeing

Indicative Reading List

Books:
  • Chaplin, E. & Hardy, S.: 2016, An Introduction to Supporting the Mental Health of People with Intellectual Disabilities: A Guide for Professionals, Support Staff and Families, Pavilion Publishing and Media Ltd, UK,
  • Hemmings, Colin: 2018, Mental Health in Intellectual Disabilities A complete introduction to assessment, intervention, care and support, 5th, Pavilion, London,
  • Holt G, Hardy S & Bouras N: 2006, Mental Health in Learning Disabilities, 3rd ed, all, Pavilion Pub, Brighton, all, 10 1 84196173 6
  • Jukes. M.: 2013, Practice Leadership in Mental Health and Intellectual Disability Nursing, Quay books, a division of Mark Allen Publishing Ltd.,
  • Moulster G, Iorizzo J, Ames S and Kernohan J: 2019, The Moulster and Griffiths Learning Disability Nursing Model, Jessica Knigsley Publishers,
  • Mouriere A: 2017, Integrative Intensive Interaction: Developing Communication Practice in Services for Children and Adults with Severe Learning Difficulties, Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties and Autism, Routledge, UK,
  • Royal College of Psychiatrists,: 2001, DC-LD: Diagnostic Criteria for Psychiatric Disorders for Use with Adults with Learning Disabilities/mental Retardation, 2001, Gaskell, London, 1-901242-61-7
  • Shimmens, V., Skelly A.: 2024, Love, Attachment and Intellectual Disability: Meeting Emotional Needs and Developmental Trauma, 1st, Pavilion Publishing and Media, 140, 9781803883243
  • Watchman. K: 2017, Intellectual Disabilities and Dementia, Jessica Kingsley Pub.,
  • Williams, J., Jones R, S.P.: 2022, Living Your Best Life: Acceptance-Based Guided Self-Help for People with Intellectual Disabilities, 1st, Pavilion Publishing and Media Ltd, 9781803881959
  • National Institute for healthcare excellence: 2016, Assessment of mental health problems in people with learning disabilities, National Institute for healthcare excellence, London,


Articles:
  • Bond, L., Carroll, R., Mulryan, N., O’Dwyer, M., , O’Connell, J., Monaghan, R., Sheerin, F., McCallion, P., and McCarron, M.: 2020, Biopsychosocial factors associated with depression and anxiety in older adults with intellectual disability: results of the wave 3 Intellectual Disability Supplement to The Irish Longitudinal Study on, Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 64 (5) MAY 2020, 517867
  • 2021: Don’t Mention the Diet! A health promotion initiative to support healthy diet and lifestyle decision-making by people with intellectual disability, British Journal of Learning Disability, 49, 517868, 1
  • You hear voices too?”: A hearing voices group for people with learning disabilities in a community mental health setting: British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 47 (1), 37, https://doi.org/10.1111/bld.12255, 517869, 1, Sawhney, I,. Prabhakaran, N., Zia, A., Shah, C.
  • Learning Disability Practice: https://doi.org/10.7748/ldp.2024.e2240,
Other Resources

  • 1: Website, American Psychiatric Association, 2013, Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders DSM 5 TR, Washington DC, APA
  • 415016: 1, Report, Health Service Executive, 2022, Mental Health Services for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities National Model of Service, Dublin
  • https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/publications/mentalhealth/hse-national-mhid-model-of-service-january-2021.pdf: 415017, 1, Report, Health Service Executive, 2022, Specialist Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services for Children with Intellectual Disability (CAMHS-ID) National Model of Service
  • Health Service Executive: https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/4/mental-health-services/camhs/camhs-id-model-of-service/camhs-id-model-of-service.pdf, 415018, 1, Website, World Health Organisation, 2019
  • Geneva: WHO, https://icd.who.int/en,

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