Problem
Case Coordination Activity
Case Study
George is brought to a community outpatient mental health clinic due to his parent's observation that he is "not acting like a normal 13-year-old." George's parents report that he is failing school, has no peer group, and he is often angry at home, "lashing out at this younger brother and sister." They brought him to the clinic because they think he is suffering from the same mental illness his mother has, and the last straw was that he was found with marijuana in his bedroom. The family reports a long and detailed family history of substance abuse. And, they report that George's mother lives with debilitating symptoms of anxiety and intermittent depressive episodes. When you talk to George, he reports "My parents are exaggerating. I have friends. And, my little brother and sister are annoying and are always bothering me and stealing my stuff. Besides, I prefer hanging out by myself.
Task
What are some of the "lenses" that social workers can view this case?
1) Medical (Mental Health and Substance-Use)
2) Family context
3) School context
4) Structural context
5) What about the social context?
a) Does that matter?
b) How
How might our treatment plans differ depending on which lens we use? How might our intervention choices differ? How can we maintain a focus on the social context when thinking about cases on all levels?
Determine the following for your scenario:
A. Identify all problems/issues
B. Prioritize those problems/issues (be prepared to justify your ranking)
C. Who could help for each problem? (be specific in terms of resources and agencies)
D. Are the problems chronic or acute? (EACH one)
E. Will the client need follow up services (long term) for any of the problems? Which?
F. Are there any underlying issues that you can identify?
G. What are the client's resources?
Determine the following for your scenario:
A. Are there any potential diagnoses? What? WHY?
B. Explain the scope of the problem. (WHO and HOW are they impacted?)
C. What are the symptoms related to the Diagnosis? Are there other issues/symptoms that are NOT related to the diagnosis?
D. What Treatment approach would you use? BE SPECIFIC in terms of theories and techniques. WHY did you pick those (evidence based)?
E. What are possible alternative methods for dealing with the client's Diagnosis? (other than what you've recommended)
F. What adjunct services may be needed? (be specific in terms of agencies and resources)