Reference no: EM133668319

Assignment:

Purpose

This assignment is intended to help you learn to do the following:

• Describe the influences on emotional experiences and expressions.
• Research the issue of mental health.
• Identify ways to communicate with those who suffer from mental health disorders.

In this discussion activity, you will focus on one of the following scenarios (based on your professor's instructions) and describe how you would respond in the given situation.

Scenario 1 - Rick at Work

It has been 6 days now that Rick, a new employee, has been working in the office. He seems nice enough. You have had the chance to interact with him a bit and have even gone out of your way to be friendly. But you have noticed something a little unusual. Rick walks toward the kitchen and back a lot during the day. It is normal for people to take breaks and stretch their legs. Yet, the frequency of Rick's trips to the kitchen are distracting and, at times, annoying. This has happened since day 1. He rarely, if ever, goes to the kitchen or comes back with anything in his hands, let alone any food.

Yesterday, you were so curious about what he might be doing that you found excuses to break your routine and be where Rick appeared or where you could observe him. Whenever you saw him, he was washing his hands or using hand sanitizer. The few times he noticed you, he seemed a little sheepish. Once he said hi and made small talk.

Today, on your way to the lobby elevator, you come across Jill and Lane. You have a good relationship with both of them. They are hushed but a little animated in their conversation, which they corral you into immediately.

"Alright, so we've been talking about Rick. Nice guy. Freakishly clean though!" Lane proclaims.

"Freakishly creepy," Jill insists. "He walks past my door constantly throughout the day. If my door is open and he sees me, he gives me a weird smile. You gotta save me from this stalker!" Jill makes a movement as though a bug had just crawled down her neck.

You decide to chime in. "I've noticed his frequent trips down the hall too. I was so curious that I've been trying to find out what he's doing. He goes to the kitchen and washes his hands or uses hand sanitizer."

Jill interjects, "The washing hands thing has got to be a ruse. Nobody uses that much soap or sanitizer. Besides, have you seen his hands? They would be cracked and bleeding if he was really washing them that much."

"So, you think he gets up to walk past your door cause he's into you?" Lane chides. "He has a wedding ring. His wife works a few blocks away. What's going on is the guy is O.C.D. - he's gotta be. Big time!"

"I think he does wash his hands that much," you offer. "That's what I have seen."

"Poor wife," Jill says. "I bet he doesn't clean the kitchen as much as he cleans his hands! I wonder what other quirks she has to live with!"

"I wonder what would happen if we just 'suddenly' ran out of soap and sanitizer one day!" Lane says with proud smirk and a hint of suggesting he would try to pull such a prank.

"That would probably put him over the top! Seems like he's already run out of his meds!" Jill replies in jest.

Scenario 2 - Your Friend, Cami

You've known for a few months that your close family friend, Cami, has been diagnosed with depression but you never know what to say about it - or if you should say anything at all. You want to be encouraging about her condition. You and your spouse have known her for years. Until a little before her divorce from Jordan eight months ago, you thought their marriage was fine. You enjoyed having them over or going to their place. Your children still play together with hers.

Since the breakup of her marriage, Cami has mentioned her depression from time to time as a matter of fact in her life - not going on about it but obviously open enough to share some of what she experiences. You always find yourself wanting to say the right thing to emphasize your friendship because saying nothing about it feels awkward and dismissive. Her bouts of depression have appeared to increase and intensify in the last few weeks, but your ability and confidence about what to say or do have not.

Today, Cami texts you and your spouse asking if you might have time to watch the children this evening. It come with very little notice but you want to help. So does your spouse. You both also want to make sure she is ok.

Cami shows up with her children that evening. Your kids are excited to see hers, and they run off to play. It appears that Cami is distant and numb. You look at your spouse with concern. Your spouse's eyes meet yours with the same expression of worry.