The Development of a Recovery-Oriented Assessment and a Management Plan for a Patient Suffering from Mental Illness - Case Study Example

Name: Course: Institution: Date: Social study Introduction Social workers are a group of professionals that work with individuals, communities, groups and their communities to assist then find solutions to variety of problems. In the process of working with different patients such has those with mental health problems. It is the responsibility of a social worker to demonstrate commitment to values of human rights, the dignity of the patient, anti-discriminatory framework, justice and social inclusion. Any form of treatment should also respect personal decisions while maximizing the quality of their lives. The main objective of this report is to describe factors that are considered essential in making social work assessment and the development of a case management plan with Justine, a client with mental problems. The report will also draw a recovery oriented approach to mental health assessment and case management in social work. Recovery-oriented approach to the assessment and case management in mental health social work Recovery-oriented approach to the assessment and case management in mental health social work is a philosophical framework within which all services intended for the benefits of a people with mental health problems should be embedded. This includes rehabilitation facilities of mental health service delivery together with consumers that will enhance positive consumer outcomes. This framework enhances and articulates the principles of rehabilitation and some form of recovery which promotes a common understanding on the services that that recovery oriented assessment and case management framework in assert as essential in the healing process of an individual. The assessment process involves an understanding of an individual considering the fact that eventual recovery of the concerned person highly depend on ability of the ailing individual to develop a new meaning and purpose to life. The practical nature of the recovery oriented assessment and case management framework has its basis on the realization that the recovery process is a personal initiative. The assessment and case management framework seeks to distinguish between cure and recovery since the latter is realized through collaboration. Through this partnership all the relevant stakeholders are often expected to participate in the development of a mutual relationship as a technique of a recovering patient’s needs. The assessment and case management framework that is to be initiated in the healing process of people with mental health problems must not be restricted with time. This is because the recovery journey is often unique in every person. The assessment and management plan should often focus on the initial steps that are necessary to enhance the healing process. These should be initiatives that are developed in conjunction with the type of mental illness that an individual suffers. Mental illnesses often vary and each ailing patient requires unique techniques that can objectively manage the recovery process. The recovery oriented assessment is not considered as an intervention and the social workers cannot perform any recovery to people but can only ensure a sufficient environment that encourages the recovery process. Key factors in Justine’s that you would take into account in undertaking a recovery-oriented assessment and case management plan Childhood background and its effect on mental health problems This is a factor that is essential in the determination of the role of an individual’s history in the understanding of his or her current state. The family is considered as a primary agent of socialization since it plays a significant role in defining future attributes of an individual. Through different childhood experiences, an individual learns how to cope with different problematic situations. For instance Justine reported that in her childhood days she was shy despite her home life being happy most of the time. She enjoyed a close relationship with her family especially her mothers, she however consulted her father whenever she encountered serious problems. This will be essential in understanding the contribution of childhood experiences to her mental problems. Education background and its effect on mental health This is an essential factor in the development of a case management plan. Activities that transpired in an individual’s academic life will clearly outline the extent to which that individual considered his or herself successful or as a failure in life. In the case of Justine, it is evident that she was a bright student in school who outdid her classmates in various academic endeavours. It is also important to note that she had just graduated with an undergraduate degree but works in a bar in the inner city of Adelaide as she waits to join the University for her Postgraduate Studies. This can act as clear evidence that her academic success did not translate to success in her work experiences. It is this factor that may have greatly contributed to her mental problems considering that since her days in elementary and high school education she had been one of the best student but upon completing her studies she only lands herself a job in a bar. She also clearly demonstrates her dissatisfaction with her employment. Effects of racism on mental health Racism stands out as one of the leading causes of mental health problems in countries where particular races are appreciated more than others. Individuals of races considered as inferior may suffer from mental health problems due to criticism that they face in the society. It is important to note that a community’s perspective of an individual’s racial orientation plays an essential role in defining the extent to which that individual will feel accepted or discriminated against in that society. In situations where an individual feels rejected there are high chances that he or she will develop stress-related complication which may result in mental health problems. In the case of Justine, it is a fact that she was born of an Australian Aboriginal father and Anglo-Saxon mother and this made her a bi-racial child. Some of her racial challenges began in school when she was constantly being teased by her school mates for being an individual with mixed racial background. Her school mates made her feel inferior as they claimed that she was less attractive. While in high school she had no friends to invite to her home due to the embarrassment she felt for being a of mixed race heritage. This meant that she was not satisfied by virtue of not belonging to neither black nor white racial backgrounds. It is important to note that stress originating from racial discrimination may result in mental illness. While developing a case management plan it will be essential to consider the best technique that can be used in the recovery from the denial of mixed racial background. Effects of sexual abuse on mental health Experiences of sexual abuse especially in childhood years often have a lasting impact on the mental health of an individual. This is related to the fact that, the said individual will either have a feeling of insecurity or that of the desire for sexual encounters with different people. In the case of Justine, it is evident that she experienced instances of sexual abuse when she was in high school. This was during the years when she was appointed the students’ representative. During this period she began receiving attention from boys and even one of her teachers is said to have made explicit sexual remarks about her and even touched her inappropriately. The effects of these events brought to her extreme anxiety on how to handle such sexual advances. While developing a case management plan it would be essential to setup apparatus for determining the extent of mental damage caused by sexual abuse and the possible initiatives that can be adopted in ensuring a complete recovery from such mental health problems. Effects of secrecy on mental health problems The ability of an individual to share out his or her problems with members of the society plays an essential role in not only relieving the mind of thoughts but also provides a platform upon which possible solution s can be generated to minimize chances of mental health problems. One of the problems that can be considered as a contributing factor in in Justine’s case is that of secrecy. Justine did not share most of her mixed racial background problems with her family members. In addition, when she encountered challenges in her relationship with Graham, a boyfriend she admits to have loved, she does not share these problems with her parents but keeps them to herself. It is important to note that her earlier social life greatly affected her subsequent relationships and the eventual loss of interest in her way of life. Strength approach in guiding the assessment and case management plan The strength approach is a school of thought that provides social workers with perspectives that focus of abilities and potentials. This does not mean that this school ignores the challenges that are the major causes of the existing problems. It is necessary that social workers, attending to individuals with mental problems, should develop assessment tools and case management plans that are collaborative. This means that the plan and the assessment tool must be aimed at ensuring that the patients with mental health problems learn to generate solutions for themselves. Thorough this way, the social workers and their patients will become co-producers of support rather than passive consumers of support offered. It is important for social workers to operate on the assumption that self-initiated solutions coupled by self-management of health problems play an essential role in the recovery process of an individual. This as the strength approach asserts is largely based on the realization that the role of a social worker is to understand the situation, the contributing factors and help the patient develop a plan that will be used in assisting him or her to resolve problems by delivering personal solutions. The strength approach asserts that a mentally ill patient needs the reassurance that he or she can recover and regain his or her initial state. This can only be realized when such an individual is empowered to act and made to understand that he or she still has the ability to make rational decisions. In essence the assessment and case management tools should be focused on the health and well-being of the patient while at the same time embracing an asset based approach where the main objective will be the promotion of that which is considered as positive. In addition, the use of the strength approach in initiating a recovery process for people with mental health problems, such as Justine, will be instrumental since it will shift the balance of care and ensure the development of services that are focused on recovery and independence. Ethical and legal implications of Justine’s case that must be considered in assessment and case management Ethical implications Transparency is an ethical consequence that the social workers must embrace to enable them ensure an effective recovery process. This will mean that in the process of developing an assessment tool and a case management plan, it will be important to inform Justine of all the procedures that will be undertaken in the recovery process. This will enhance collaboration in the in the development of assessment and management plan. Respect of choice is another ethical factor essential in the development of assessment and case management plan. This is based on the consideration that the role of a social worker is to facilitate there recovery process as he or she ensures that the eventual decision on how best to solve the problem emanates from the person with a mental health problem. Respecting the eventual choice will enhance the feeling of appreciation hence speeding up the recovery process. Confidentiality is an ethical attribute that must be considered in the development of an assessment and case management plan. The plan must guarantee the patient of secrecy levels that must be upheld to ensure her protection against any third party concerns. Legal implications It is necessary for the operations of any social worker to be within the limits of the law. Legal implications largely revolve around the promotion of human rights. Human rights require that the dignity, right to life, information and freedom of speech are granted to the person with mental health problems. In the case of Justine it would be important to recognize the fact that despite her mental conditions she still has to be informed of all the necessary procedures involved and the role she has to play in the healing process. Any attempt to withhold information or degrade her dignity will be in violation of her human rights. Further information to enable planning for case management The introduction of an individual service plan will be essential in the development of a case management plan. This will be developed to and given to Justine. In the plan she will have to write down her goals and objectives for the recovery process. This plan will be developed in a language that can be easily understood. Its development will depend on the types of needs that Justine has and the possible strategies that can be used. This will provide information necessary for the development of a case management plan that includes the input of the Justine, the patient. Conclusion The development of a recovery oriented assessment and a case management plan requires a social worker to understand the mental illness that a patient is suffering from. Justine’s case revolves around numerous factors that range from childhood problems to sexual abuse. Through the strength approach, a case management plan can be developed while considering the potential and abilities that exists in the client. This will also involve an understanding of the ethical and legal implications involved in the recovery process. Read More