Frankie has just started a new job and is meeting with Trevor, an older person who has lived with a serious mental illness for several decades. In reviewing his care plan, Frankie is concerned that Trevor has not been formally assessed for nearly five years.

After getting coffee and getting to know each other a little, Frankie feels that some rapport has been established and begins to ask about Trevor's services through her workplace.

'Can I ask you about the services you're receiving? I've got your service plan here, but I'd like to hear about your experiences. Is that okay?'

Trevor looks tired. 'Yeah, they've got me going to stuff every day.'

'You don't sound happy about that, Trevor.'

'It's okay. You guys know best. I just go where I'm told.'

Frankie looks concerned. 'I don't think that's right at all, Trevor. I think you know best about you. Does that mean you're getting services that you don't think you need?'

Trevor looks uncomfortable. 'Um, dunno. I'm the crazy person. I figure you guys have me doing all this stuff because you think I need it.'

'What would you like, Trevor?'

Trevor smiles. 'I like my garden. I don't get enough time in my garden with stuff happening every day and the stupid day program. I worked in a nursery for a bit, but they kicked me out because I was crazy. I don't work anymore.'

'I bet your garden's beautiful. I think we should re-examine your service plan, because it doesn't sound like you've been treated fairly. Is there anyone else I should speak to who's involved in your recovery?'

Trevor looks confused. 'Recovery? If you mean living with a sick head ...' He pauses. 'I guess there's my brother. And my GP, she's pretty good. And the old head shrink.'

 

1) How is Frankie using a collaborative approach to determine what information needs to be collected and where it should come from? Provide two instances of when she is doing it.

 

2) Has Frankie's organisation demonstrated a commitment to access and equity in providing services to Trevor in the past? Give reasons for your answer. 

 

3) What are two preferences, meanings or needs of Trevor that you can observe in this conversation?

 

4) What are two measures that Frankie should take to ensure that a formal assessment of Trevor is conducted according to best practice principles? 

 

5) Identify two barriers that Frankie and Trevor should discuss and two ways that these barriers might be affecting his life.

 

6) How might Trevor have been discriminated against and what are his rights? Identify two examples of discrimination Trevor may have potentially experienced and explain his rights in your answer. 

 

Damien is meeting with Chris, who has recently experienced a relapse of his mental health needs. During the relapse, Chris was hospitalised and as a consequence he lost his casual job, which was his only means of financial support. Chris has little support from his family and is currently sleeping on a friend's couch.

After sharing some small talk and getting to know each other a little, Damien begins to ask Chris about his plans for the future.

'Sounds like you've had a challenging time lately, mate. But you're doing well to be here, don't you think?'

Chris shrugs. 'I guess. I'm so tired. My mate's couch's got lumps!'

'Yeah, I bet. So is it a priority for you to find more suitable accommodation?'

'Yep. Can't see how though. I've got no money, no job ... I just want my old life back.'

'I hear you. I admire your resilience though, picking yourself up after the relapse. Is getting your old job back a goal for you?'

Chris looks puzzled. 'Never thought that was an option. Why would they have me back?'

'Well, it's not certain, but often in this situation, employers are willing to give people a chance when they understand the situation. Can I ask, what would having your old life back look like for you?'

 

7) Identify the choices, preferences and values expressed by Chris and explain how Damien's communication and actions encouraged the expression of these.

 

8) Explain how Damien and Chris should prioritise Chris's needs and two goals that could be established through collaborating.

 

9) What basic support options do Chris and Damien need to discuss and plan? Are there other options they should consider as part of taking a holistic approach? 

 

10) Has the planning taken a holistic approach? Provide two reasons for your answer.

 

Violet is meeting for the second time with Julia and her mother, Cathy. Julia has been recently diagnosed with depression. She has just turned 19 and lives at home with her parents since she quit uni while experiencing mental health needs. She is not currently working or studying and feels unmotivated to take major steps in her life or to make decisions about her care. She spends most of her time at home and has lost contact with most of her friends. She has put on weight from her lack of exercise and appears pale and withdrawn.

Cathy is very protective of Julia and tends to dominate the conversation, not realising that this is not benefitting Julia. After their initial meeting (where Cathy did all of the talking and Julia barely spoke a word), Violet called this meeting to discuss everyone's roles in planning for Julia's recovery.

 

11) What are three steps that Violet can take to ensure that Julia has access to information, resources or education about opportunities and service options relevant to her? 

 

12) List at least four of the key stages in decision-making that Julia and Violet can work through to make decisions about her recovery. 

 

13) What are two possible benefits to Julia if she is supported to develop self-advocacy?

 

14) Identify an area in Julia's life where she would benefit from being more resilient. How could Violet support her to develop resilience in this area?

 

15) How can Violet maintain regular contact with Julia, and what are two reasons why she should do this?

 

16) Explain how Violet and Julia can maintain records and progress notes collaboratively.

 

Maria has just met with Francesco, who has lived with a serious mental illness for most of his adult life. Francesco has lived with his parents for many years, but they are becoming elderly and frail and are having difficulty meeting Francesco's needs. Francesco's sister Guiliana has been a long-time member of his care network and has suggested that Francesco move in with her and her husband, Bruce.

The other option is for Francesco to live independently. His parents have met many of his needs for decades and he is quite dependent upon them. Francesco leans heavily on his sister for emotional and practical support and wants to move in with her. Bruce is less than happy about the idea. Bruce has seen the way that his parents-in-law had their life dominated by their caring duties and already worries about the burden on Guiliana, particularly as Francesco ages.

 

17) What are two benefits to Francesco of involving his sister and brother-in-law in his recovery process and what are two possible different roles they could play?

 

18) What are three areas that Francesco's family and friends could have information or support needs in? 

 

19) List three communication skills that Maria should employ to build an effective working relationship with Francesco's family.

 

20) When facilitating support training or services to Francesco's family, what are three factors that Maria should keep in mind? 

 

Hannah is taking over some of a colleague's support consumers while she is on maternity leave. One of the people she is supporting is Mei, who is about to get married.

Mei has been supported for a number of years to manage her depression and anxiety disorder. All of Mei's services are based on her living alone and having no nearby care network, as her family resides overseas. She has been happy with her support services and has worked hard to meet all her recovery goals, but Hannah gains feedback from Mei that she is a little concerned about the changes that are ahead, although she is excited about getting married. She is already feeling anxious about the wedding, as both families will be attending, and it is sure to be big occasion. Her partner's family is not aware of her mental health needs and she is concerned about not coping and shaming herself or her family on the day.

 

21) Is there anything to indicate that Mei's whole plan needs to be rewritten, or does Mei's plan need minor amendments? Where might changes need to be made to improve her support?

 

22) When would a transition strategy be appropriate for Mei? What are two considerations specific to Mei that Hannah should keep in mind when creating and amending a transition strategy for Mei at an appropriate time?

 

23) How will Hannah and Mei know that no further service or support is required? Identify at least eight reasons services or supports may be ended in Mei's case (or with other clients in general) in your answer.

1) How is Frankie using a collaborative approach to determine what information needs to be collected and where it should come from? Provide two instances of when she is doing it.

The information that Frankie needs should come from the client since the approach is a collaborative. The approach is seen when Frankie is asking the client regarding his experience in his current program, the second instance where she is using collaborative approach is when she ask Trevor what he likes to do. The questions that Frankie ask her client will help her determine the method or intervention she will use to help Trevor.

2.Has Frankie's organisation demonstrated a commitment to access and equity in providing services to Trevor in the past? Give reasons for your answer. 

- Based on the concern of Frankie that Trevor was not properly assessed for the past five years it is clear that the organisation didn't demonstrate a commitment to access and equity in providing service to Trevor. The evidence that Trevor is not formally accessed is the previous therapist didn't consider the comfort and right of Trevor regarding his current service, it is also unfair for Trevor since he doesn't have the freedom of time to do what he likes due to the activities in his program. 

3) What are two preferences, meanings or needs of Trevor that you can observe in this conversation?

There are two needs of Trevor that can be observed in the conversation first is Trevor needs a proper assessment regarding his care plan and lastly Trevor needs a support and proper counseling so that he can rebuild his confidence since it is evident that Trevor lost his confidence and kept saying that he is crazy.

4) What are two measures that Frankie should take to ensure that a formal assessment of Trevor is conducted according to best practice principles? 

- The two measure that Frankie should consider to ensure that the assessment of Trevor is conducted according to best practice is first Frankie should ensure that the assessment is conducted considering the characteristic of Trevor including his cultural background and preferences to ensure the effective of the treatment, lastly Frankie should seek to modify their clinical approach when appropriate and terminate treatment when the Trevor is no longer benefiting or when treatment goals have been met.

5) Identify two barriers that Frankie and Trevor should discuss and two ways that these barriers might be affecting his life.

- The two barriers that Frankie and Trevor should discuss is first the current care plan that Trevor have might not suitable for his condition and it is not helping him recover.Second barrier is the way how Trevor perceive his self as a crazy person the way he perceive his self can be a factor that blocking him from recovery, the way how he thinks of himself also a reason that affect his determination to recover and continue living.

6) How might Trevor have been discriminated against and what are his rights? Identify two examples of discrimination Trevor may have potentially experienced and explain his rights in your answer. 

-The care plan Trevor currently have is a form discrimination where he don't have a opinion regarding his treatment and he is also limited to do his leisure activities due to the activities in his program. Based on the guidelines for clients rights , Trevor have a right to be informed participation in establishing his treatment plan and to participate in service decisions. Trevor also have the to receive mental health services in the most appropriate and least restrictive or intrusive setting/service.

7) Identify the choices, preferences and values expressed by Chris and explain how Damien's communication and actions encouraged the expression of these.

- The choice that Chris is to get back to his old life before his relapse it means that Chris chose to continue living and get back on track with his life, however the choice of going back to his previous job is not include in his preference,Chris is resilient because even though he is facing a hard time he didn't give up on trying to getting back on track. Damien's approach on asking Chris is approachable that makes him comfortable in expressing his thoughts.

8) Explain how Damien and Chris should prioritize Chris's needs and two goals that could be established through collaborating.

- The need of shelter and job for Chris should be prioritize by seeking a shelter first and with the help of Damien,Chris can go back to his previous job. In order to do this Chris and Damien should the goal of establishing Chris confidence and Courage to face the world again without hesitation due to his previous mental relapse.

9) What basic support options do Chris and Damien need to discuss and plan? Are there other options they should consider as part of taking a holistic approach? 

- Support groups and self help plan can be discuss and planed by Chris and Damien since Chris doesn't seem to need Hospitalization, support group will help him recover by reflecting and knowing that he is not alone in his battle and self help will also help him since he knows what he can do help himself and what he need. Collaborative approach can be considered in the treatment. Collaborative and Holistic approach will be more effective since the client and therapist will both take part in planning the treatment and it more simple for the client.

10) Has the planning taken a holistic approach? Provide two reasons for your answer.

- yes the plan has taken holistic approach because Damien assess the condition of Chris by considering the that his previous relapse is the cause of his current condition.Damien also seen that Chris is resilient just basing from the current state of Chris.

11) What are three steps that Violet can take to ensure that Julia has access to information, resources or education about opportunities and service options relevant to her? 

12) List at least four of the key stages in decision-making that Julia and Violet can work through to make decisions about her recovery. 

The four stages in decision making that Julia and Violet can consider in making decision about her recovery is gathering relevant information that is needed in making decision regarding her recovery,Identify alternatives that should be considered in case the main decision will not work, review the decision and its consequences and lastly take an action.

13) What are two possible benefits to Julia if she is supported to develop self-advocacy?

- The two benefit that Julia will gain if she is supported to develop self-advocacy is she will able to make decision on her own and she will learn to express her needs and goals in her recovery.

14) Identify an area in Julia's life where she would benefit from being more resilient. How could Violet support her to develop resilience in this area?

- Julia will benefit in her academic life if she will be resilient since school is the training ground for each young people, if she is resilient to face the stressors and academic struggles this means that she is resilient enough to face the real world. Violet can help her develop resilience in the area of academy by being her support and giving her the hope and building her confidence that he can conquer all her fears.Giving Julia an assurance will also help her be resilient.

15) How can Violet maintain regular contact with Julia, and what are two reasons why she should do this?

- Violet can maintain regular contact with Julia by checking her trough phone call and messaging her but Violet must also consider the boundaries as a therapist, Violet should keep an regular contact with Julia to make her feel that she has her on her back and this also give an assurance to Julia that Violet is sincere and genuine in helping her.

16) Explain how Violet and Julia can maintain records and progress notes collaboratively.

Julia and Violate can maintain records and progress noted collaboratively by taking noted every session and this notes is known by Julia, these notes will include Julia's progress every time they have a therapy session. Violet will also consider the pros and cons of Collaborative documentation in order to improve taking notes in the future for them to maintain it.

17) What are two benefits to Francesco of involving his sister and brother-in-law in his recovery process and what are two possible different roles they could play?

- The benefit that Francesco could gain in involving his sister and brother in law in his recovery process is he will have a support system and they will also provide his basic needs since he don't have enough resources to support his needs. The sister of Francesco can be his support especially emotional support and his brother in-law can be the one to teach him to be independent.

18) What are three areas that Francesco's family and friends could have information or support needs in? 

- The three areas that his family and friends could have information or support the need is the area of development of Francesco, area of the ability Francesco and proper intervention for Francesco. The family must lack on the information regarding the development of Francesco that he can be also independent by teaching him and through the support of therapist.

19) List three communication skills that Maria should employ to build an effective working relationship with Francesco's family.

- Maria should be more welcoming in order make the family comfortable by offering reassurance, empathy and genuineness. She should be listening attentively and understand their condition , she should not be giving advice unless the family ask for it. Maria should also set a boundary and respect the family's decision in that way the family will have the confidence that Maria can help them.

20) When facilitating support training or services to Francesco's family, what are three factors that Maria should keep in mind? 

- Maria should keep in mind that she should understand the family's situation especially in handling Francesco's condition, she should keep in mind her goals in providing support for the family and she should keep in mind to solve the current family problem regarding Francesco's welfare.

21) Is there anything to indicate that Mei's whole plan needs to be rewritten, or does Mei's plan need minor amendments? Where might changes need to be made to improve her support?

- Mei's current plans just need a minor amendments especially in the area of coping up with the new environment and changes that she will be facing after her marriage the plan should also improve or include that Mei should acknowledge her condition to lessen the anxiety she will experience it the family of her future husband will discover her condition.

22) When would a transition strategy be appropriate for Mei? What are two considerations specific to Mei that Hannah should keep in mind when creating and amending a transition strategy for Mei at an appropriate time?

- The transition strategy will be appropriate after her wedding since it would be the start of the changes in her life together with her husband since Mei is living on her own the sudden changes with the presence of her husband might affect her current condition. Hannah  should consider the environment and culture that Hannah will be adapting because transition strategy may vary in every country and culture.

23) How will Hannah and Mei know that no further service or support is required? Identify at least eight reasons services or supports may be ended in Mei's case (or with other clients in general) in your answer.

- Hannah will know that Mei no longer need service or support if she have a progress regarding her adapting in her new environment and lifestyle. Their are various reason fro termination of service in Mei's case it can be that she no longer needed the service , the current service is not working, the service is causing her harm instead of helping her and some reasons will be unavailability, relocation, illness, disability, or death.