Mental Health - Southern Cross University

Create the calm after the storm

Mental health is one of the biggest issues in Australia and the world. One in eight Australians are currently experiencing high or very high psychological distress, and in turn, this has created huge demand for qualified and compassionate support (ABS National Health Survey 2017-18).

If you are driven to help people and transform their lives, our mental health courses are informed by contemporary mental health research and policy, providing an understanding of the way mental health services are designed, funded and delivered in Australia.

Whether you are looking to enhance your clinical capabilities, expand your career opportunities or turn a passion into a specialised career, our courses have been designed with the input of leading clinical and academic mental health professionals. And by learning under the Southern Cross Model, you can focus your study, achieve milestones more quickly and have a clearer vision of your career path in a vital health sector.

Associate Professor Christian Swann stands smiling on a rugby field with his blue Southern Cross University polo on

“We have the opportunity to improve the mental health of our communities and make them better places to live.”

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Open Day at Southern Cross University is a perfect opportunity to discover which courses spark your interest and the campus or study mode that works best for you.

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Why choose Mental Health with Southern Cross?

Increased employment outcomes

Specialising in mental health will increase your employment outcomes, particularly in mental health leadership and management roles.

Industry relevant teaching

Designed with leading clinical and academic professionals, the courses respond to contemporary mental health research and policy.

SCU Online offers flexibility

Built with working professionals in mind, the courses are delivered in six study periods to allow you to study when and how you want.

Once I finished my placement I knew I would be doing mental health nursing. I went for my first placement after my second semester. And then I was placed in one of the aged care homes in Gold Coast. And I was in the dementia ward. And when I started there it was very eye opening for me. Once I finished my placement I knew I would be doing mental health nursing. When I'm working in the wards right now as an AIN, I could see how mentally unstable my patients were in the first day of their admission and then when they are leaving, you know, the change in their behaviour, the way they interact with you, it's completely different and when you talk with their family

and the appreciation you get, I think that's the thing that drives me as a mental health nurse. I would say I found my right passion what I should be doing for my future career.