Special Needs in Forensic Mental Health - Case Study Example

Running Head: Adolescent Case Study on Juvenile Delinquency Introduction For quite a long time, criminal justice mechanism and implementation have been difficult with respect to the problematic teenagers. Generally, the age group of 13 to 18 years is marked as the adolescent population. Unfortunately, these young people often fall victim to the irregularities and problems of modern lifestyle (Butterworth, D. A., & Wikstrom, P. H., 2007). Australia is no exception to this situation, and the number of cases of lawbreaking by adolescents is on the rise. The wide spectrum of social issues involved in the problematic behaviour patterns of today’s teenagers cannot be neglected. However, advanced researches in Forensic Mental Health can formulate innovative techniques in the sphere of Juvenile Justice and considerably help the society in general. The youngsters form the very foundation of a county’s human wealth, and no society must tolerate if the integrity of this human wealth is threatened. Studies in Forensic Mental Health can help us to decide how a society can fight the menace of juvenile delinquency and surge ahead towards a better future. Background of the Problem In the majority of the cases of lawbreaking by a teenager, the mental health concerns of the adolescent lawbreaker have been thought provoking. The case under investigation can be considered as a similar case of juvenile crime, where a fourteen year old boy has attempted a robbery. A detailed analysis of the case is likely to reveal deep rooted mental crises and related behavioural problems in regards of the adolescent lawbreaker. Moreover, the issues related with this case study can be generalised and utilised for extended research. The Critical Issues This is the case of Jamie, who is at the age of fourteen, has been apprehended for attempt to robbery. The analysis of his case reveals the following issues in the very first go: 1. Frequent absence from school 2. Tendency to argue with the teachers 3. Previous offence of stealing 4. Record of substance abuse (the teenager smokes cannabis and inhales paint) 5. Creates distance between himself and his parents. The first, third, and fourth points are particularly alarming and serious indications. Jamie was previously good in studies during his primary classes and now his performance in the secondary school is deteriorating. This is a case of “falling grades”, which is again a serious indication (Dowshen, S., 2007). Moreover, Jamie’s parents do not have a good, loving relationship among themselves, which urges the case writer to assort the case under the category of increased risk due to parental problems (Alexander, J., 2002). Finally, repeated involvement in “destructive processes” like substance abuse and crime establishes the grave issue of juvenile delinquency in Jamie’s case. In a nutshell, Jamie’s case cannot be marked as a development dotted with isolated events. Rather, there are now serious problems in his behavioural pattern. In the way Jamie has proceeded from less severe states (isolated substance abuse, stealing) to more severe conditions (continued and multiple substance abuse, attempt to robbery), a clinician can easily find out the gradual development pattern of definite mental complications in the adolescent under examination. This is unarguably disquieting, as being responsible citizens and trained professionals, we can’t neglect Jamie’s plight as an isolated issue. Due to separation between the parents, it is highly possible that Jamie had a troubled childhood and now, during adolescence, his problems are deep rooted. The majority of the adolescent population that moves towards criminality is victim of disturbed childhood, domestic violence, substance abuse, negligence, etc. A timely assessment and treatment program is necessary for them. Hopefully, Department of Juvenile Justice and Australian Institute of Health and Welfare are looking into this problem seriously. Specific Impact of the Issues Under the National Youth Screening Assistance Project (NYSAP) in the USA, Risk Assessment experts have devised the Massachusetts Youth Screening Instrument Version 2 (MAYSI-2). Jamie has been assessed with this instrumentation and clinical elevations have been recorded on the two important subscales: 1. Depressed-Anxious Subscale 2. Suicide Ideation Subscale The individual specific case study instrumentation provided by MAYSI-2 proves that the impact of the problems in Jamie’s life have manifested in the form of prospective mental disorders. Generally, suicide ideation is a psychiatric condition of older adults, who have numerous clinical problems and are victims of loneliness, hopelessness, etc. (Uncapher, H. & Gallagher-Thompson, D., 1998). But Jamie’s clinical assessments have given results, which are not only abnormal but also unexpected in relation to a youngster like him. This testifies the impact of his problematic teenage life and current destructive practices. Analysis Literature Reviewed A combination of different factors finally culminates into juvenile delinquency, which sets serious challenges in front of the society and the state. No country can allow its future citizens to get engaged in the destructive processes like crime, drugs, truancy, violence (physical and sexual), self abuse, etc (Siegel, L., & Welsh, B. C. 2008). Also, traumatic experiences in early life (eg: abuse in the hands of siblings, step parents, etc.) may lead to diseases like Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), etc. (Halgin, R. P., & Whitbourne, S., 2006). A depressed-anxious youth can fall victim to both depression and anxiety. Grief, unemployment, sexual abuse, etc. drive the innocent youth towards depression that may cause more substance abuse, hyper-sexuality, nervous breakdown, etc. Anxiety Disorder, on the other hand, can lead to hallucination, panic, insomnia, etc. A combined effect of these sorts of mental disorders can put up a serious challenge before the correctional services in the way of choosing an appropriate treatment and assessment program for the youngster under apprehension. The rectification programs involve supervision, community service, psychiatric treatment, etc. in the realm of Australian Juvenile Justice System (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2009). According to the DJJ Annual Report 2006-2007, “Records of the Department of Juvenile Justice show that in 2006-07 for every 1,000 people aged 10-17 resident in NSW: 11.4 had a criminal matter finalised in the Children’s Court, 8.2 were convicted and/or sentenced in these finalised matters, 2.3 were given sentences requiring the Department to supervise them in their community, and 0.7 were sentenced to detention.” Thus, in New South Wales alone, the statistics have been alarming. Contextually, we must notice the fact that how young people are being enticed by the modern luxury products related to sex, tobacco, poking, costly FMCG, etc. in today’s environment of unbridled market economy and globalisation. When parents fail to meet such needs of a problematic adolescent due to monetary reasons, the adolescent may resort to criminal activities for quick money (Hill, R., 2004). Psychosomatic Examinations The most striking part of the MAYSI-2 analysis in concern with Jamie is the clinical elevations diagnosed through the Suicide Ideation Subscale. Suicide ideation can be a result of PTSD, substance abuse, BPD, Panic Disorder, Anxiety Disorder, etc. Among adolescents, it can further be characterised by antisocial, impulsive, and aggressive behaviour. This may also be featured by impaired concentration, which may account for Jamie’s bad to worse academic performance. In case the disorder is not treated in time (i.e., during the early symptoms), the youngster may get involved in serious and violent activities due to psychomotor agitation. Continued agitation may further lead to Mood Disorder and Bipolar Disorder, which generally account for the very high levels of risk and extremely irregular behavioural patterns. Moreover, Jamie used to be a very active child and had difficulties in concentration too. This information, in combination with elevations at the Depressed-Anxious Subscale, gives us enough reason to reflect on the psychosomatic state of the adolescent lawbreaker and mark him as a prospective mental patient. Recommendations Mitigation of the Adolescent’s Disadvantages It may sound insensitive for a while but the case writer is without any option but to criticise Jamie’s parents for his present mental situation. Clearly, Jamie’s parents either neglected or failed to examine the following points: 1. Jamie’s truancy and insensitivity towards his teachers 2. His first offence of stealing, which was definitely a danger sign 3. His continued substance abuse 4. His deteriorating academic performance due to his problems in concentration Moreover, the youngster has shown good academic performance in the past, been an active child, and ushered a good relationship with his Physical Education teacher of late. This information clearly shows that Jamie’s parents have failed to identify his areas of interest. Even being ‘estranged’ to each other, Jamie’s parents have to work together for the well being of their innocent son. 1. Jamie’s parents must be immediately counselled in regards of the case. 2. There is a high possibility of a history of domestic violence and/or child abuse in Jamie’s life. His parents must be cross-examined in this regard by experienced clinicians. 3. There is a high possibility of health problems too due to substance abuse. Medical screening is a must, and proper treatment should immediately be initiated. 4. Jamie must be told about what he has done and the seriousness of his offences. The clinician must attempt to rouse the conscience of the youngster and show him the right path. Strategic Approach 1. A controlled instrumentation using HCR-20 is suggestible to evaluate the prospects of violence in particular (Douglas, K. S., Webster, C. D., Hart, S. D., Eaves, D., & Ogloff, J. R. P., 2001). Also, an elaborate evaluation of the historical, risk-management, and clinical factors in relation to this case is very important, and HCR-20 instrumentation can help in this regard. 2. Continuous counselling and kind handling are necessary. Polite words and empathetic bearing towards the adolescent can help the clinician a lot. 3. Supervision and monitoring have to be done so that the youth may not be able to indulge in further substance abuse. 4. Activities like community service, outdoor games, physical exercises, etc. can yield positive results. Conclusion We have many youngsters around us who often fall a victim to irregular, uncontrolled lifestyle and resort to destructive processes. No civilized society can allow this to be set as a trend. In case the teenager faces problems at home and school, the society at large must extend a hand of help. In the complicated sphere of Forensic Mental Health, the factors related to juvenile justice need to be analysed continuously. Along with proper methods of Risk Assessment, we must implement innovative plans for sustained counselling too. Modern forensic health management cannot be complete and fruitful unless proper counselling methods are utilised and advanced psychological therapy is implemented (Rowland, N., & Goss, S., 2000). Case study is, of course, an integral part of extended and reliable research. The case we discussed in this context can help us to solve a problem that is really complicated, serious, and deserves special attention. Children at young age generally demand attention from their parents. Mostly, when they do not get attention to the levels they expect or deserve, complications begin to germinate. During adolescence, it is natural that the individual often gets involved in clash of opinions with her or his parents. Many young people have been noted to have developed argumentative attitude. But this attitude becomes less severe with the lapse of time and the youngster often shows traits of understanding and affection towards the family. However, if the teenager has a history of disturbed childhood, she or he may develop special needs. Continuous negligence may lead the adolescent to depression, anxiety, and suicide ideation, as in Jamie’s case. With regards with criminality, the psychiatric experts must prevent these cases from worsening. The reason is that, these problems may culminate at Mood Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, etc., and the individual may turn to high intensity violence. Substance abuse would worsen the case all the more. Therefore, proper assessment followed by proper medication and counselling. The Department of Juvenile Justice is coming up with novel methods that are specific to the needs of these youngsters. Forensic Mental Health experts must diagnose the early signs of complicated problems in time, so that the teenager apprehended for a minor crime like shoplifting may not move towards serious criminality. Conceivably, these young people need to be talked to, understood well, and supported by the Government and the society. References Alexander, J. (n.d.). AAMFT - Adolescent Behavior Problems Consumer Update. American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. Retrieved April 20, 2010, from http://www.aamft.org/families/Consumer_Updates/AdolescentBehaviorProblems.asp Butterworth, D. A., & Wikstrom, P. H. (2007). Adolescent Crime: Individual Differences and Lifestyles. Devon: Willan Publishing. Department of Juvenile Justice, (2007). The Role of the Department. NSW Department of Juvenile Justice: Anual Report 2006-2007 (p. 15). Sydney: Department of Juvenile Justice. Douglas, K. S., Webster, C. D., Hart, S. D., Eaves, D., & Ogloff, J. R. (2001). HCR-20: Violence Risk Management Companion Guide. Vancouver: Simon Fraser University. Dowshen, S. (n.d.). A Parents Guide to Surviving the Teen Years . KidsHealth - the Webs most visited site about childrens health. Retrieved April 23, 2010, from http://kidshealth.org/parent/growth/growing/adolescence.html# Halgin, P. R., & Whitbourne, S. (2006). Abnormal Psychology: Clinical Perspectives on Psychological Disorders. Boston : McGraw-Hill. Hill, R. (2004). A Gloomy Vista? "Globalisation, Juvenile Crime and Social Order: An Australian Perspective . Crime, Law and Social Change, 33, 369-384. MAYSI-2 Home Page. (n.d.). MAYSIWARE (Software for the Massachusetts Youth Screening Instrument (MAYSI-2). Retrieved April 21, 2010, from http://www.maysiware.com/MAYSI2.htm Media and Communications Unit, AIHW. (n.d.). Understanding the juvenile justice system (AIHW Access online magazine, issue no. 27, March 2010). Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). Retrieved April 23, 2010, from http://www.aihw.gov.au/access/201003/feature/juvenile-justice.cfm Rowland, N., & Goss, S. (2000). Evidence Based Counselling and Psychological Therapies: Research and Applications (1 ed.). London: Routledge. Siegel, L., & Welsh, B. C. (2008). Juvenile Delinquency: Theory, Practice, and Law. Scarborough: Cengage Learning. Uncapher, H., & Gallagher-Thompson, D. (1998). Hopelessness and Suicidal Ideation in Older Adults. The Gerontologist (pp. 62-70). Osgood, NJ: PMID. Read More