How to Asses Mental Illness

The ability for patients to access mental health services these days are more wide ranging than ever before. This is in part due to the fact that the realm of mental health, once simply governed by physicians, is now peopled by staff of all different types and disciplines. In addition, many mental health professionals are now multiply credentialed, so it is not impossible to see a mental health professional who is all at once a family and marital therapist, a chemical dependency practitioner and a social worker. All these elements only serve to improve the ability of patients/clients to receive quality mental health services, whether it be in a large institutional setting, a community mental health center or in a private clinical office. But what are the different types of mental health professionals who are trained in the identification and treatment of patients with mental health issues? There are many, but for the matter of clarity and brevity, we will focus on just three. Licensed clinical social workers are one type of mental health professional who may be assigned a clinical case. These are individuals who have received graduate level training in the assessment and management of patients with mental illness. They may choose to specialize in a certain type of therapy, such as marital or family therapy or they may provide a more general practice. Clinical social workers are also found in the hospital setting, whether for psychiatric patients or medical patients and are experts in arranging for social services and referral to assisted living facilities, nursing homes, and other post hospitalization care. Advanced registry nurse practitioners are one of the newer types of clinicians in the mental health field. These are nurses who have taken graduate level education which allows them to perform diagnosis and treatment for patients. Many nurse practitioners (also called ARNPs) can prescribe medications for their patients, depending on the laws of the states where they live. ARNPs are also unique in that they can open up clinical practices of their own without having to work under the auspices or licensure of a practicing physician. ARNPs provide medication and counseling services, as well as crisis intervention services. ARNPs are also found frequently in both the inpatient and outpatient settings. Another type of professional who may diagnose and treat a patient with mental health issues is a clinical psychologist. These are men and women who receive post-graduate education and receive a doctorate in psychology. Psychologists are often called â€Å"doctor† but the difference is that they are not allowed to prescribe medications. Psychologists are multifaceted, and are able to diagnose and treat patients with mental health issues, as well as perform and interpret psychological testing to held aid in the diagnosis of patients with personality or learning disorders. Psychologists are usually utilized in the outpatient setting, but it is not unheard of for them to work on an inpatient mental health unit as well. While all these different clinical backgrounds are able to assess patients for the presence of mental illness, the issues which they must consider are the same from patient to patient. Whether the patient is a self-referral, court mandated or identified by a family member, before a true clinical diagnosis can be made, a thorough mental health assessment must be made. This mental health assessment includes several key issues which must be answered. First, the clinician must know what the problem is which brought the patient in for evaluation in the first place. Does the patient feel sad, or depressed, or anxious? To what degree does the mood problem affect the patient†s day to day life? Are they able to go on about their daily business, or are they incapable of holding a job or caring for themselves or their families, because of the severity of the illness. Does the patient actually perceive there is a problem, or has the patient been referred by a medical provider, family member, or friend? The high coincidence of mental health problems and substance abuse makes it necessary for the mental health professional to assess if there is any drug or alcohol abuse issues here. How long has the patient had these symptoms, and are they getting worse, better, or staying the same. A family history is also important, especially as it pertains to issues of mental illness within the family, or a history of physical/sexual or emotional abuse. Above all, when any mental health professional is assessing a patient for mental illness, he or she must assess if the patient has any thoughts of hurting himself or anyone else. This is almost the most important question to be asked of any patient who is being assessed for mental health problems, and when answered in the positive, must be dealt with immediately. As we are discussing suicidal ideation, it is important for any clinician to understand who is at the greatest risk of self harm. There is a disparity in the rates of suicide between men and women, in that it is more likely for a woman to express thoughts of suicide and it is more likely for a man to actually commit suicide. In fact, men over age 45 are more than four times more likely than women to kill themselves as women in the same age (National Patient Safety Agency, 2001). An unemployed man is two to three times more likely to commit suicide. Suicide is also believed to account for 20 percent of all death in young people aged 15-24 and is second only to accidental death. The prevalence of substance abuse in this age group tends to be a contributing factor to suicide rates. The additional issues of academic pressure and relationship problems, as well as possible history of physical and sexual abuse are other risk factors. Interestingly, research has also shown that youngsters who know someone who commits suicide are more likely to commit suicide (Shaffi, et. al. 1985). While issues of race and likelihood to commit suicide have been studied, the pattern changes over geographic distribution. A study done in 1993 by Briget seemed to indicate that gay men and lesbians had higher rate of suicide and attempted suicide than the general population. And, as previously mentioned, research has shown that substance abuse is a significant risk factor for suicide and suicide attempts. One study estimated that among people who abuse drugs, the risk of suicide is twenty times greater than that of the general population (Faulkner, 1997) Any discussion about mental health in the 21st Century is sure to bring some in some element of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, commonly known as HIPAA. HIPAA is a federal health benefits law passed in 1996, effective July 1, 1997, which among other things, restricts pre-existing condition exclusion periods to ensure portability of health-care coverage between plans, group and individual; requires guaranteed issue and renewal of insurance coverage; prohibits plans from charging individuals higher premiums, co-payments, and/or deductibles based on health status. It also places strict limits on the type and amount of information which can be released about patients, and to whom the information can be given, and in what manner. While the privacy of patient care information is important, HIPAA can be a stumbling block to the care of patients. For example, should the patient refuse that any collateral information be obtained about his case from a family member or friend, the mental health professional is prohibited by law from making any contact with this person, even if the collateral information could be of help in the care and diagnosis of the patient. In addition, it makes it almost impossible for family members to make appointments or even ascertain that patients are getting care. Health care providers are given leeway in one manner, in that should a mental health patient make what is felt to be a credible threat against another person, the healthcare provider is then able to provide information about the threat to the person in the broadest possible terms, known as a â€Å"duty to warn†. Usually now, before a mental health professional takes on a case, he or she will have the patient sign a document explaining the patient†s rights and the clinician†s responsibilities under HIPAA. In this document, the clinician outlines most common reasons for which the clinician may have to release information about the patient†s care, such as coordinating care with another provider or even obtaining coverage information from the insurer. The patient is also generally advised that he or she may revoke all authorization at any time, but in turn the clinician may choose to discontinue treatment. In this way, both parties are protected. It should be noted, however, that HIPAA restrictions do not apply in cases where abuse is suspected, for clinical health oversight activities, for judicial reasons if evaluations are court ordered, and in cases where the care involves a workman†s compensation issue. The clinician must also provide to the patient a name and number of a person to who concerns about privacy violation may be addressed, and if all else fails, complaints may be made to the Department of Health and Human Services, the federal agency which oversees HIPAA. But should a mental health professional be incautious about the kind of information he or she chooses to release, then he or she may find that they are subject to high fines, sanctions from federally funded agencies and loss of clinical privilege. To me, HIPAA seems like the extreme end of the pendulum, and does little to take into account common sense. I believe that in the future, different legislation will be made to modify the tone of HIPAA and allow a bit of clinical common sense to be used as well. Until that time, mental health practitioners will have to tread lightly and practice with care, keeping in mind at all times the needs of the patient and the rule of the law. So in summary, there are many kinds of mental health professionals, of all different backgrounds and disciplines. It would not be difficult to find a therapist or other mental health professional that would be able to help a client with his or her problems. All are highly qualified. All receive excellent training, and the high degree of diversity allows the mental health patient to almost have a consumer attitude when shopping for mental health care. No matter what kind of practitioner a patient chooses, the patient should be sure that he or she has chosen one who is well versed in the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness. New laws put into affect do much to protect the rights of the patient, but in some ways can tie the hands of the clinical provider. But ultimately, rules are in place to protect both the patient and the practitioner.

Employers and Employees rights Essay

INTRODUCTION: In this piece of course work I am going to describe, using examples from Shropshire county council, the rights of the employer and its employees. I am also going to explain using examples of how the they resolve the disagreements with its employees over rights of employment or working conditions. Then I am going to evaluate the extent to which Shropshire ensures that a good working relationship exist between the employers and employees. 1. Describe the employer and employee rights of the business you have investigated in detail and give examples. We as employers and employees at Shropshire county council are protected by numerous amount of laws Some of these laws are: Equal pay act 1963 This allows us as employees to get a fair share in pay. This act will enable us to take legal action against Shropshire if we feel and have proof of not getting the right amount of pay that should be permitted. Not only does this act helps us as employees it also helps our employers. The directors of Shropshire county council employ the employers that employ us, so they too are considered to be employees. Race relation act 1976 This act allows us both as employees and employers to be treated fairly. This act has to do with the discrimination against our race or religion. It enables us to take legal actions against Shropshire if we feel and have proof of unfair treatment of our race and religion. Pregnancy and Discrimination act This act is here for both the employees and employers if we are fired or discriminated because of being pregnant. This will allow us to get compensation. If fired this will also allow us to also get our job back at Shropshire. Health and Safety act This is there for both we the employees and our employers. Not only are we protected by this act we are also responsible for the health and safety for the other members of staff. E.g. in the computer rooms we must act responsible for not permitted to smoke in non-smoking areas, if done this could affect other members of staff. 2. State how the business resolves its disagreements with employees in connection with employment and working conditions. When disputes occur at Shropshire the management will try to follow the correct procedure. Wherever possible the issue is dealt with by managers within the council. There are clear procedures to follow, which will be carefully followed. . E.g. if a member of staff was discriminated by one of his or her co-workers with proof the staff member could bring it to a union representative and ask them for help. The main union for workers in the council is NALGO (National Association for Local Workers). The officers will then advise the employees of there rights and they will then try and investigate the situation and having a meeting so that they could try and resolve the problem. If an agreement can’t be reach even by arbitration the European Court of justice night be last resort. They will then discuss the problem and the employee who was at fault could be fired or suspended for a certain amount of days/months. If suspended then the employee would return once the situation have been investigated. if this fails then they could go to a tribunal, which is a small court that resolve small cases. 3. State the weaknesses and strength on the ways that your chosen business ensures a good working relationship with the employer and its employees. Weaknesses If you are suspended for something that you didn’t do then, you can be the one who feel guilty. So I think that they should really investigate and make sure that they have the right substantial evidence before they fire or suspend the employee. Strengths It is abiding the law. All the actions that are taken are legal, and the victim could get compensation. Another strength is that there is access to the right information and there is also a department that will give people advice. > NET–> http://www.osbornebooks.co.uk/pdf/intermediate_business_1.pdf Date (18/10/04) > NET–> http://www.davidjreed.com/Corporate/business_types.htm Date (18/10/04) > BOOK–> GCSE Applied Business–> AUTHORS–> Michael Fardon, Chris Nuttall, John Prokopiw –>UNIT 1–>NUMBER–> 5&6 –>from pages 42-61 Date (18/10/04) > LEAFLET–>Shropshire County council case study –>page 121 Date (18/10/04)

Corporate Social Responsibility and Profit Essay

Corporate Social Responsibility and Profit - Essay Example This paper illustrates that followers of CSR on the other hand state that being socially responsible is more important because of the social contract, as well as the argument that CSR can actually increase profit. Others in favor of CSR say that it is already an obligation, and the issue is simply one of finding ways in which companies can act in ways that are socially responsible. Even companies who agree that CSR is important often have problems putting CSR principles into practice. The main critics of CSR claim that standards of living have greatly improved over the past 100 years and that this improvement is a result of â€Å"the success of free enterprise†. Critics of CSR attack those in favor of it by saying that profit is a needed and helpful advantage of business because it is this very profit which allows businesses to put funds into helping society. The reduction of profits gained by companies caused by CSR can actually have bad effects on society because lesser prof its mean less ability to help society. If companies spend more time paying for functions that make them socially responsible, they will not be able to focus on the profit which is important for shareholders. Without shareholders, the company does not exist, and so it cannot help society by giving it funds. Many people in favor of CSR say that many business ethics of big corporations are unethical, but critics reply by saying that it is unethical for managers to think of anything else than maximizing shareholder profits. Also, making companies responsible for many different aspects of society risks managers and directors being distracted. Critics also say that there is a big difference between taking account of society’s interests and being accountable for society’s interests; only the former element should be imposed on managers and businesses.

Feasibility Proposal Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Feasibility Proposal - Essay Example In a study conducted by Display Search, it was revealed that tablets purchase worldwide will hit 416 million, 23 million more than regular laptop’s 393 millions by the year 2017. This trend is supported by the increasing demand of the tablets from the emerging markets around the world. In the study, many people revealed their preference to tablets to be based on its user-friendly nature, classiness and convenience. According to Richard Shim, an analyst and a member of the team who conducted the research, consumers continuously shift towards mobile computing against the traditional notebook, a trend that has picked up well in mature markets around the world. For example, tablet PCs are expected to grow by annual average of 28% in the next 5 years within the mature markets of United States, Japan, and West Europe. The challenge for HP is to ensure it manufacture tablets that are sleek and trendy, which will resonate with the increasingly trendy consumer. In a market where intern et business giants such as Google and Microsoft have taken by storm through their flagship tablets in the market, it is logical to note that any failure by the HP to embrace the tablet market will deal a big blow to its market share. The strategy is to ensure the company maintains or improve its 16% market share around the global consumption of PC usage. Problem statement While many tablet manufacturers have concentrated their tablet market share within the established or rather mature markets, HP has not involved itself in the manufacturing of tablets despite the growing trend in the tablet PC usage around the world. Companies such as Apple, Samsung, Microsoft, and Google have consolidated their market share in the tablet PC manufacturing, leaving HP still struggling with its notebook PCs. A point to note, however, is that many of these companies only focus their products towards mature markets. This trend leaves the gap in the emerging markets, which are expected to grow in equal measure in the projected years. HP can take a leap into the emerging markets, which seem to be catching up with the established markets in the tablet PC usage on a daily basis. However, this should not mean that HP needs to ignore the mature markets, which sets trends for the emerging markets. The company, however, can develop cheap but classy tablets to match the buying trends in emerging markets. A proper study, however, will be needed to ensure a pricing criteria, design and consumption trend is established. The goal of this study is to establish the consumption trend, both in the mature as well as emerging markets. Methodology The research will largely be an internet based, and phone calls. This study will involve web searches on what customers of competitors say on online forums, design online questionnaires, as well as feedback forms for HP notebook users. This strategy will ensure that information about the established and emerging markets are defined, the customers’ b ehaviours, and the future business prospects of both markets. This research will include acquiring of products information, analysis of the existing brands, profiling of the users psychology, and geographical information. Document Specification In about 3000 words report, the study is expected to give a comprehensive result of the strategies HP should use to enter the tablet PC market. The report is expected to outline the following key areas: 1. Project description: indentifying and exploring

Infomation system management exam Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Infomation system management exam - Essay Example Overall, companies need to use data mining in order to enhance their customer relationship management (CRM) skills. Analysis needs to focus for the company, upon any problems that its customers may be having. This is one of the basic marketing rules of customer service in action. The present analysis therefore advocates the position that not only should these standards become lucrative trade-offs. â€Å"Current emphasis on customer relationship management makes the marketing function an ideal application area to greatly benefit from the use of data mining tools for decision support. A systematic methodology that uses data mining and knowledge management techniques is proposed to manage the marketing knowledge and support marketing decisions† (Data, 2010). Another solution is to use Customer Relationship Management to market more effectively and reach the client better. â€Å"When customer relationship management CRM) came on the health scene approximately six years ago, some viewed it with skepticism and primarily saw it as a way to refine rather than reinvent marketing. More progressive marketers adopted the CRM techniques of compiling all consumer and market data into a centralized database and used data mining to more narrowly define target audiences based on characteristics rather than general demographics† (Paddison, 2004). Yet another solution could focus more on the management of the company than the client, and highlight management having a working knowledge of marketing and being able to work with marketers and consultants in a proactive manner that reflects the abovementioned external dynamism of the IT market. Data mining is advocated by companies. In terms of environment that are narrowly defined by marketing parameters, the local market offers expanded opportunities that should be taken advantage of by the

Korean history (Old Joseon to the Joseon dynasty) Essay

Korean history (Old Joseon to the Joseon dynasty) - Essay Example The religious factor played a fundamental role in the unification and the cohesion of the Korean society during the Old Joseon to the Joseon Dynasty. The adoption and subsequent internalization of the Confucian religious and social doctrines served as a major milestone in the unification of the Korean society during the Joseon reign. This is because, the Confucian religious doctrine was redefined after it was adapted in Korea, to entail five very basic principles that henceforth served to ensure that the Korean society remained in cohesion, regardless of the age or the social class that individuals belonged (Kim & Park, 23). To achieve the stabilization of the Korean society back then, the Confucian ideals were pitched on the principle relationships of husband and wife as the basic relationship within a family that sought to keep the family unit bonded together, such that external influences and invasion or any other form of external infiltration could not enter and divide the society. Secondly, the Confucian religious doctrine established the principle relationship as that of the young to old, where the young people were supposed to respect the elders and tore the line of the cultural and social principles that were represented by the elders in the Korean society (Kim & Park, 36). This way, it became possible to establish a respectable society that ensured that the even where any form of dissent would emerge between the young generation and the older generation in terms of the administration of the society, there were already predetermined avenues that prevented such dissent from simmering into rebellious levels that could destabilize the society (Kim & Park, 29). This way, the Confucian religious doctrine ensured that the society remained united, and the dissents that emerged were handled through the rightful channels. Additionally, the Confucian religious

A business's only responsibility is to produce profit. To what Essay

A business's only responsibility is to produce profit. To what extent do you agree with this statement - Essay Example 15). A business should maximize on value rather than profits as explained by Blodget (2012). Involvement in CRS is expensive but it has a high long-term advantage to the business. Providing incentives to employees is not a waste of resources by the management. Considering the workers welfare is important to boost the morale of employees. Employees, if well motivate, perform high-quality tasks that can attract more customers, rewarding to the stakeholders and so make the business sustainable. It may even draw new employees with a high level of skills. On the other hand, failure to consider employees’ welfare results to unique situations that may scare other stakeholders from associating with the business. Besides, it is important for the business to consider environmental obligations as they do production. Environment conservation policies benefit humans. For instance, the regulations aim to reduce pollutants to the environment. Every country or trade region has it set regulations on environmental factors that businesses should consider in its operations. Failure to consider the rules in its operations, the business is likely to face criticism. Further, it may influence smooth functioning of the business and its profitability. An example is the case of Coca-Cola Company’s failure to ensure standards set by the America’s Environment Protection Agency. Early in the 2000’s, failure to consider strict environmental policy threatened the Coca-Cola Company. The company used non-environmental friendly plastic bottles, for a long time the company was on poor terms with the government or the U.S.A. Though it may be expensive for the business to adhere to the regulations, they are very critical for the sustainability of the enterprise and survival of other sectors of the economy. Adhering to the CSR is important to keep a good relationship with the stakeholders and so for the