Reference no: EM133435038
1. critically analyse the theoretical, legal, ethical and policy frameworks for mental health practice including evidence-based interventions;
4. critically appraise theory and evidence-based practice to demonstrate understanding of the impact of mental health and illness health and the psychosocial dimensions of the illness experience, and the effects on the family and significant others.
Essay topic
The prescriptive nature of Community Treatment Orders (CTOs) has led to debate about the coercive nature of this legislative development. This debate helps to show the interface between ethics and the law in mental health practice: on what basis is it just to lawfully deprive a person of freedom(s)?
Discuss this question taking into account Case Study 1: Josh.
Case Study 1: Josh
Alice contacted her local Glenaurie community based youth alcohol and other drug (AOD) service seeking help for her 17 year-old son Josh. She told the Intake Officer that Josh lives with her and her partner Martin. Alice stated that she is 'OK' with Josh smoking marijuana and drinking alcohol because she used to smoke 'pot' and still drinks, but that she is concerned because she found used needles in Josh's bedroom. Alice said that the Glenaurie Child and Youth Mental Health Service (CYMHS) has treated Josh in the past for depression and anxiety but that he only takes his medication 'sometimes'. She said that Josh dropped out of school even though the school and the school counsellor had supported him and that she doesn't know how he is paying for drugs because he doesn't have a job. Alice said that she has seen this pattern of behaviour before with her brother who has schizophrenia and that she is worried that Josh has schizophrenia because he told her that he 'hears voices'. She reported that she is relieved when Josh disappears for days at a time because she sometimes feels frightened of him but she worries when he is away from home because the people he is hanging out with are a 'bad crowd'. Alice stated that her neighbours had called the police on a few occasions because Josh 'gets into rages' yelling and screaming and punching holes in walls. She said that she has stopped having the holes in walls fixed because Josh just 'does it again' and she can't afford to keep fixing walls when she only works part-time and Martin has just lost his job.
Alice also reported that she has not supported Josh having contact with his biological father who is Aboriginal because although he lives in Glenaurie he has been 'in and out of prison'. She said that although Josh identifies as Aboriginal he is not connected with the local Aboriginal community or culture. Alice stated that her other son Daniel aged 19 years recently moved out of home because he was fighting too much with Martin and because he thought that Alice should kick Josh out of home. Alice stated that she couldn't do it because she still cares about Josh but she cannot cope with him injecting drugs, his anger issues and his lying and stealing. Alice wants Josh to stop using drugs and go into a detoxification program. She stated that Josh doesn't think he has a drug problem but that 'on a good day' he is open to getting help and is 'OK' for the AOD service to contact him on his mobile.