SPS304 Mental Health In Community Assessment

Case Study

You are a Homeless Outreach Support worker for Team Health Aboriginal Corporation, working with the Homelessness Outreach Support (HOS) Program that supports those who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless and their families in your local area.

Your primary objective is to assist clients to access mainstream agencies to secure or maintain stable accommodation. Another key focus of your work is the positive engagement during outreach with those who are homeless. You have been allocated a family that consists of a mother (Alira), son (Jarrah), and daughter (Yindi). The mother has been a victim of domestic violence from her partner for the last five years and she is reluctant to discuss this due to stigma and shame.

Alira has now left her partner and is seeking help through TeamHealth Homeless Outreach Support Program. Alira presents as highly anxious and tells you that she has trouble sleeping and has recurring nightmares. Kirra has left her partner in hope to keep her children safe but is very scared that they may be taken off her Yindi (12yrs old) has been diagnosed with depression and anxiety and does not seem to be coping well,

This research assignment is in three parts

Part 1-Read the case study

1. How does Colonisation impact Indigenous Australians (including the Stolen Generation)?
2. Why is it important to understand Indigenous Australian culture when working with consumers?
3. What are the risk and protective factors for Aboriginal mental health?

Part 2-Research

1. Apply critical thinking and judgement in identifying appropriate help and supports suitable for Alira, Yindi and Jarrah's needs.
2. Name the supports and interventions that you will use and explain your choices.

Part 3-Critical Reflection

1. It has now been three weeks since you first met your clients. Critically reflect and evaluate on the decisions that you have made including the organisation/s and resources you chose to support your clients needs.