Assignment Question addressing Assessment Criteria
CASE STUDY
Mark, a 16-year-old high school student, visits you (the school nurse) during class in distress. He tells you that he is being bullied at school because the kids think he is gay. Mark tells you he thinks he might be transsexual, but that he is scared to tell anyone and states that he has suicidal thoughts. He is not supported at home. His mother and father, health care professionals, work long hours and his older sister picks on him. Mark’s best friend since the age of 10 recently told him he did not want to hang out with him anymore because he was “weird”. A few months ago, another friend who was picked on more than Mark went missing. Rumour in the school indicates that he ended his life.
In your answers (to the below questions 1 to 13), please refer to the case study outlined above and reference your work according to the referencing guidelines.
- In Mark’s case, list four risk factors which increase the risk of suicide.
- List four questions which you would ask Mark to determine his safety?
- List two types of community-based support strategies which you would recommend?
- Do you approach Mark’s family? If so, how?
- Mark tells you that he does not want you to tell anyone else that he is being bullied and having suicidal thoughts. How should you respond to Mark’s request?
- List three things that you would do to keep Mark safe.
- There seems to be public stigma towards LGBTIQ+ people in your school. List two things that can you do to tackle this stigma?
- What should you keep in mind with regards to Mark saying that he might be transsexual and maintaining confidentiality?
- How would you build a therapeutic relationship with Mark?
CONTINUATION OF CASE STUDY
As the bullying continued, Mark eventually became more withdrawn, preferring to spend most of his time in his room. When engaging with his parents, Mark would frequently become angry and on occasions, he would threaten them with violence. He was eventually referred to a mental health crises service by his GP. On assessment, Mark admitted hearing voices. At times, these voices were comforting and at other times quite threatening. He was diagnosed with schizophrenia.
- How is schizophrenia diagnosed?
- When devising a care plan for Mark, list four types of psychological interventions which should be considered?
- Mark is prescribed antipsychotic medication. On this basis list two physical health issues which might arise? How would these issues impact Mark’s quality of life?
- Using the biopsychosocial theory, which factors do you think contributed to Mark’s schizophrenia? Discuss