In: Nursing
Community Case: Mental Health
Case Part 1
Seventeen-year-old Justin Sutton took his own life last night with a handgun owned by his parents. Recently,several of his peers had posted photographs and demeaning comments about him on social media, suggesting that Justin was gay. This was only the most recent incident in a long history of bullying and depression experienced by Justin, who had been meeting with his guidance counselor regularly. The counselor had referred him for mental health services, and he’d been waiting for his first appointment.
Questions for students:
1. Common risk factors associated with teen or youth suicide are
- family history of suicide
- previous suicidal attempts
- alcohol and substance abuse
- mental disorders like schizophrenia, depression or anxiety disorder
- easy accessibility of suicidal means
- unaccessibility to mental health programmes and treatment
- unwillingness to attend mental health treatments because of social stigma towards mental illness
- social, educational or personal losses
- feelings of lonliness, insecurity, helplessness and stress.
- impulsive personality traits ( especially in adoloscents )
- family factors like parental conflicts, sibling conflicts , violent behaviour frm family members etc
- child abuse or maltreatment from society , school or family
In the case of Justin's suicide , the risk factors observed are
: depression because of bullying from friends and peer group.
:feeling of lonliness, insecurity and mental stress
: accessibility to suicidal weapon or method.
2. In my high school, there was a clinical psychologist who were visiting every class once in a week. He was very friendly and he had discussed regarding various mental health issues. So that we could help and support other students in their strssfull times. I still remember one of my friend who was suffered from depression due parental conflicts and their seperation later. When we found him sad for long time, we enquired the reason and he opened up. As friends we totally supported him by engaging him in various activities whether it is study or extra curricular activities. We never let him feel alone. Also he was counselled by the clinical psychologist and he accepted his parents' decision. He overcame the depressive period successfully.
In school we were discussed regarding various mental health issues like depression , anxiety disorder, substance abuse, personality disorders, suicidal behaviours etc and we understood the importance of mental evaluation and counselling. Thats why we are able to consider mental health problems just as any other physical health problem without any social stigma. From school life itself , we understood that there is nothing wrong in seeking medical or expert help in case of mental illnesses.