Reference no: EM133721006

Question: Assume the role of a Human Services caseworker and discuss the options offered in this post "I am a school guidance counselor who has had a 13-year-old girl, Ann, come into express concerns about her friend Helena. She shares that she has developed an eating disorder that I identify as anorexia nervosa. Ann shares that at school Helena is terrified to eat in front of her peers, continuously talks about losing weight, and has started taking laxatives to reduce her caloric intake as much as possible. Helena had shared with Ann that if she lost enough weight, the bullying would stop; Ann is extremely worried her friend is going to end up in the hospital. The first action I will take is to contact Helena's parents, Leigh and Dean, and ask them to schedule a meeting with me as soon as possible. Open communication with her parents is my first priority to share the concerns Helena's friends have expressed and ask them if they have noticed any unusual changes and behaviors in Helena at home. I would want to gather as much information as possible about eating disorders and provide them with a list of outside resources such as behavioral health, talk therapy, nutritional counseling and medical care. Assuring the adults involved (including myself) know the various symptoms and the complexities of eating disorders is crucial to identify triggers and help address what may be contributing to the behavior. I would greatly advise connecting with a medical professional for their expertise as well and receive a professional evaluation; according to Anorexia Nervosa by Mayo Clinic, many individuals with eating disorders are hesitant or uninterested in treatment so having a support group to urge and guide her is essential. Her health and well-being, especially at such a developmental age, is priority, but I want to make sure to emphasize it is a safe and open environment where she does not feel judged or looked down on."