Overview

Risk assessment in mental health settings is one of the most challenging roles of the mental
health professional. This assessment is designed to encourage you to explore the most
recent evidence that informs best practice in conducting risk assessments in acute mental
health.

Learning outcomes

This assessment task is aligned to the following learning outcomes which are related to
learning outcomes in the post graduate course ‘Acute Mental Health’, for which persons
completing this course may be granted credit at SCU: 1. Appraise a range of acute care conditions engagement and interventions 2. Appraise a range of complex acute care conditions engagement and interventions 3. Critically reflect on acute mental health risk factors, engagement, observation and
intervention

Assessment Task

Write an essay that:

a) Provides a brief overview of the type of risk assessments that are necessary to
consider in acute mental health

b) Critiques the effectiveness or accuracy of available risk assessment tools/methods – and
Discuss how the risk assessment process could be improved or optimised, ensuring
your arguments are evidence based