Problem:
In reviewing the scenarios, students should be reflecting on the following questions: 1. What are the apparent issues the client is facing? 2. What goals can be made to assist the client? 3. What barriers exist which are preventing the client from achieving their goals? 4. Who can assist in helping the client achieve their goals? 5. What strategies or resources can be used to advocate effectively for the client? 6. Are there any successful alternatives? 7. What would a general plan to assist the client look like?
Camden is a 17 year old boy from a middle class family. He is a current inpatient at a mental health facility you are working at. He has been diagnosed with depression and anxiety. As he has shown improvement in the month at the facility, his doctors have determined he is ready to be discharged. When you met with him for the first time, he describes numerous concerns he has about his impending discharge and future. He explains to you he does not feel ready to be discharged as he feels he is too vulnerable and mentally unstable to be on his own. He makes numerous statements to the effect he wants to have his medication double checked by another doctor to make sure he is on the right dose. He believes he needs an increase in the dose of one of his depression medications as the symptoms for which the medication was prescribed are not responding to the dose he is taking. As well, he wants to engage in long term therapy but has been told the referral for the doctor he wants to work with is lengthy. He feels there are no other doctors who can help him. He indicates to you prior to his hospitalization, he was living in a shared housing co-op and receiving assistance from the housing associations support worker. He does not want to return there as he did not get along with his roommate and felt the support worker did not assist him in finding either a new roommate or new affordable accommodation. He feels if he were to be discharged he would return to living on the streets and substance abuse.