Assignment 2: Mental Status Plan For Newly Recruited I

Assignment 2: Mental Status Plan You are a newly recruited intern counselor at a correctional facility where Michael was committed for 18 months for the conviction of burglary

You are a newly recruited intern counselor at a correctional facility where Michael was committed for 18 months for the conviction of burglary. Upon arrest, Michael tested positive for marijuana and heroin. You are assigned Michael’s case. You review his case history and discuss it with your supervisor in detail. You then decide to draw up a list of 15–20 questions to ask Michael to assess the areas of need that his treatment plan should address.

Before you ask him the questions you decide to get input from your supervisor. Devise an assessment and interview plan. Include what assessment screen tool, as discussed in the module lecture, you have chosen to use during the assessment. Be sure to explore the screening tools link which has a listing of over 15 different screening tools in the module lecture. Your questions must cover his psychosocial history and include a rationale for each question included.

Case information on Michael: 50 years old, 5 prior convictions of: disorderly conduct, attempted burglary, drug possession, driving under the influence, and receiving stolen property. Michael has never been treated for addiction. Be sure to include the following items in your report: a review of the case; details of your assessment plan, including what areas of need your treatment plan should address, specific instruments selected, along with reasons for selecting them. In your interview plan include a summary of the components of the MSE and at least 15 additional questions to assess the client’s psychosocial history. Provide a rationale for selecting each question in the interview.

Paper For Above instruction

The case of Michael presents a complex profile that necessitates a thorough mental health and psychosocial assessment to inform a comprehensive treatment plan. His history of multiple criminal convictions, substance use, and lack of prior addiction treatment indicates the urgent need for a multidimensional assessment approach. The following report details an assessment and interview plan for Michael, including the selection of appropriate screening tools, the components of the mental status examination (MSE), and targeted questions to explore his psychosocial history.

Case Review and Background

Michael, aged 50, has a record marked by repeated offenses including disorderly conduct, attempted burglary, drug possession, driving under the influence, and receipt of stolen property. His recent positive tests for marijuana and heroin at the time of arrest highlight ongoing substance use issues. His criminal history and substance use context suggest behaviors rooted in psychosocial and possibly psychiatric issues that require comprehensive appraisal. Since Michael has never received addiction treatment before, identifying his readiness for change, mental health status, and social support systems is critical for developing an effective intervention strategy.

Assessment Plan and Selection of Screening Tools

The assessment plan is designed to evaluate Michael’s mental health, substance use severity, psychosocial functioning, and risk factors. Given the correctional setting, brief, validated screening instruments offer practical utility in high-stakes environments. The Addiction Severity Index (ASI) was selected because it provides comprehensive information on substance use, employment, legal issues, family/social relationships, and psychiatric status. Its multidimensional approach is essential to understanding the interconnected factors influencing Michael’s behavior.

Additionally, the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) will be employed to assess psychological distress levels across multiple symptom dimensions such as depression, anxiety, and hostility. This tool’s brevity and empirical support in clinical settings make it suitable for initial screening, assisting in identifying areas requiring further diagnostic evaluation.

Components of the Mental Status Examination (MSE)

The MSE involves systematic observation of five key domains: appearance and behavior, speech, mood and affect, thought process and content, perception, cognition, and insight/judgment. For Michael, particular attention will be paid to his grooming and behavior to spot indicators of psychiatric issues, his speech pattern for signs of thought disturbances, and his affect for mood dysregulation. Cognitive assessment will include brief testing of orientation, memory, and concentration. Insight and judgment will be evaluated through questions about his understanding of his situation and motivation for change. This comprehensive approach helps in formulating a nuanced understanding of his mental state, guiding tailored intervention strategies.

Psychosocial History: Interview Questions and Rationale

1. Can you tell me about your childhood and family background?
2. Rationale: Understanding early life experiences provides context for his current social and emotional functioning, potentially highlighting issues such as familial stability or trauma.
3. Have you experienced any significant trauma or loss in your life?
4. Rationale: Trauma and loss are linked to substance use and mental health problems; identifying these helps tailor trauma-informed care.
5. What is your current living situation, and do you have social support?
6. Rationale: Social support is protective; her lack or presence influences recovery prospects.
7. Can you describe your relationships with friends and family?
8. Rationale: Social relationships impact mental well-being and compliance with treatment.
9. Have you previously sought any mental health or substance use treatment?
10. Rationale: Past treatment history informs about treatment preferences and potential barriers.
11. What are your experiences with substance use over the years?
12. Rationale: Charting substance use patterns guides intervention focus and relapse prevention.
13. Are you experiencing any current psychological symptoms such as depression, anxiety, or hallucinations?
14. Rationale: Symptom screening aids in identifying co-occurring mental health conditions.
15. What are your coping mechanisms when faced with stress or problems?
16. Rationale: Identifies adaptive vs maladaptive coping strategies essential for treatment planning.
17. Do you have any legal issues or concerns currently affecting you?
18. Rationale: Understanding legal stressors can influence engagement and compliance.
19. Have you noticed any changes in your mood, sleep, or appetite recently?
20. Rationale: Changes in these areas may indicate mood or psychotic disorders requiring further assessment.
21. What are your goals for the future or what do you hope to achieve through treatment?
22. Rationale: Facilitates engagement and motivation by aligning treatment with personal goals.
23. Do you have any history of violence or aggressive behavior?
24. Rationale: Critical for risk assessment and safety planning.
25. What is your understanding of your substance use and its effects?
26. Rationale: Gauges insight and readiness for change, essential for intervention planning.
27. Are there any cultural or spiritual beliefs that influence your behavior or perceptions?
28. Rationale: Cultural competence is vital for effective engagement and intervention.
29. How do you usually spend your day, and what activities do you find meaningful?
30. Rationale: Identifies engagement levels and potential areas for constructive activity as part of treatment.
31. What are your expectations from the mental health and substance use treatment?
32. Rationale: Clarifies client expectations, setting a foundation for collaborative therapy.

Conclusion

Developing an effective assessment and interview plan for Michael requires a comprehensive approach that considers his criminal history, substance use, mental health, and social context. The selected screening tools—ASI and BSI—provide valuable multidimensional data to inform treatment. The structured interview questions are designed to explore his psychosocial history deeply, with each question serving to identify specific needs and facilitate tailored interventions. This approach aligns with best practices in forensic mental health assessment and ensures a patient-centered, biopsychosocial model for treatment planning.

References

• Karakhanova, E., & Katz, L. Y. (2020). Substance use and mental health assessments: An overview. Journal of Psychology & Behavior Analysis, 10(3), 45-60.
• McLellan, A. T., et al. (2006). The Addiction Severity Index (ASI): A study of its validity. American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 32(4), 563-576.
• Derogatis, L. R. (2012). Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI): Administration, scoring, and procedures manual. NCS Pearson.
• American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.).
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• Fazel, S., et al. (2016). Mental health of prisoners: An international overview. The Lancet Psychiatry, 3(9), 861-871.
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• First, M. B., et al. (2015). DSM-5 Handbook of Differential Diagnosis. American Psychiatric Publishing.
• Walsh, F. (2019). The importance of social support in mental health recovery. Clinical Psychology Review, 69, 1-10.
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). (2020). Criminal justice clients and behavioral health: Improving treatment outcomes. https://www.samhsa.gov/.