Megara Mental Health Case Study
2. The Assessment
The multidisciplinary team is concerned about the many social complexities that are present in Megara’s life that have a direct impact on Megara’s mental health and wellbeing. Some of these complexities include: her living arrangements, her support networks (or lack thereof), and her safety. Furthermore, there is also concern about her cognitive functioning since there was evidence that there may be an impairment during the ward admission assessment, as well as a concern about the risks and the probability of the occurrence of Megara’s direct and indirect self-destructive behaviours happening again; as this is prevalent in the elderly who have a psychiatric disorder (Conwell, Pearson, & DeRenzo, 1996).
It was concluded
by the multidisciplinary team that both a psychosocial assessment and a brief risk assessment be help shape a care planning process and appropriate linking with support services pre and post discharge (Morgan, 2000).
To conduct a psychosocial assessment is imperative because essentially every aspect of an elderly person’s mental health status is wrought by psychosocial factors (Byrne & Neville, 2009). These factors include: family life, household structure, medical history, socioeconomic status, access to services and so on (Bryne & Neville, 2009 & Lesher & Mcwhirter, 2000) Both of Megara’s assessments are defined in detail in Appendix B and C. Throughout this process, I will be employing the strengths based theoretical approach which draws on the idea that every individual has capacity and the strength to learn, and grow (Weick, 1992). This can be very empowering for Megara as she stated in her assessment how “hopeless” she felt when she was left alone.
The multidisciplinary team is concerned about the many social complexities that are present in Megara’s life that have a direct impact on Megara’s mental health and wellbeing. Some of these complexities include: her living arrangements, her support networks (or lack thereof), and her safety. Furthermore, there is also concern about her cognitive functioning since there was evidence that there may be an impairment during the ward admission assessment, as well as a concern about the risks and the probability of the occurrence of Megara’s direct and indirect self-destructive behaviours happening again; as this is prevalent in the elderly who have a psychiatric disorder (Conwell, Pearson, & DeRenzo, 1996).
It was concluded
by the multidisciplinary team that both a psychosocial assessment and a brief risk assessment be help shape a care planning process and appropriate linking with support services pre and post discharge (Morgan, 2000).
To conduct a psychosocial assessment is imperative because essentially every aspect of an elderly person’s mental health status is wrought by psychosocial factors (Byrne & Neville, 2009). These factors include: family life, household structure, medical history, socioeconomic status, access to services and so on (Bryne & Neville, 2009 & Lesher & Mcwhirter, 2000) Both of Megara’s assessments are defined in detail in Appendix B and C. Throughout this process, I will be employing the strengths based theoretical approach which draws on the idea that every individual has capacity and the strength to learn, and grow (Weick, 1992). This can be very empowering for Megara as she stated in her assessment how “hopeless” she felt when she was left alone.