Respond To At Least Two Colleagues Who Selected Different

Response 1respondto At Least Two Colleagues Who Selected Different Pro

In this discussion, colleagues shared their approaches to empowering clients with complex mental health and social challenges, highlighting interventions involving social support, multidisciplinary teams, and psychopharmacology. The focus is on analyzing the approaches to determine their potential effectiveness in fostering personal empowerment for clients like Paula and Ruby, respectively.

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The core of effective social work intervention lies in empowering clients to take control over their lives, build resilience, and access necessary resources. Both colleagues’ approaches emphasize different strategies that aim to promote these goals, though their focus and methodologies differ. Analyzing these strategies reveals their strengths and limitations in fostering client empowerment, especially considering the unique circumstances of each client.

Colleague 1’s approach with Paula involves a strengths-based perspective rooted in social support and client self-advocacy. The social worker’s role is to provide a supportive, non-judgmental environment where Paula feels valued and heard, aligning with the NASW Code of Ethics (National Association of Social Workers, 2008). Their focus on empowering Paula through recognizing her strengths—such as her self-advocacy skills—facilitates her confidence to participate actively in her treatment decisions. This approach emphasizes fostering autonomy and self-worth, critical components of empowerment, especially for clients managing chronic health conditions complicated by mental health issues (Chen & Tsai, 2017). Such approaches are effective in promoting long-term self-efficacy and resilience, as clients are encouraged to recognize their agency and participate meaningfully in their care.

> Conversely, Colleague 2 adopts a multi-disciplinary, team-based approach, focusing on safety, medical, and social support systems, centered on Paula’s goal of caring for her child. Their emphasis on family involvement and community resources underscores the importance of a holistic approach to empowerment—helping clients develop skills, gain access to resources, and foster self-determination (Ferguson & Ransom, 2019). This comprehensive approach aligns with strengths-based models, as it recognizes Paula's capacity to raise her child with proper support, thereby promoting her sense of control and purpose. The focus on education and engagement further enhances her ability to manage her health and social needs, reinforcing her empowerment through knowledge and social integration.

While both approaches are valuable, their effectiveness in empowering clients hinges on their alignment with the client's needs and contexts. For Paula, who faces multiple health challenges and social isolation, approaches that combine emotional support with practical resources and community integration are especially beneficial (Saleebey, 2013). The first colleague’s emphasis on individual strengths and self-advocacy enhances personal agency, which is fundamental in chronic illness management. The second’s holistic, systemic support ensures protective factors and safety, building confidence and resilience within her social environment. In conclusion, both approaches are likely to help empower Paula, though integrating elements of both—personal strength-building and systemic support—would be most effective in fostering sustainable empowerment and positive health outcomes.

As for Ruby, strong psychopharmacological interventions such as mood stabilizers and antipsychotics are essential components of her treatment. The colleague’s recommendation of medications like Lithobid (lithium) combined with therapy aligns with evidence-based practices for managing schizoaffective disorder (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Lithium, a well-established mood stabilizer, helps regulate mood swings and reduces behavioral extremes, which are crucial in preventing harm and stabilizing her mental state (Geddes & Miklowitz, 2013). The addition of talk therapy and group interventions addresses social isolation and improves daily functioning by fostering social skills and coping strategies, vital for a young adult like Ruby dealing with complex symptoms (Miklowitz et al., 2014).

Implementing medication management, including adherence support such as charts and family involvement, can enhance compliance and treatment efficacy. Regular monitoring of lithium levels and renal function is critical because of potential side effects, including tremors, hypothyroidism, and renal impairment (Sia et al., 2017). This pharmacological approach, combined with psycho-social interventions, aligns with the biopsychosocial model, emphasizing both biological stabilization and social support, which are essential to empowering Ruby towards recovery and improved quality of life (Engel, 1977).

In summary, both colleagues’ recommendations are appropriate and likely to facilitate empowerment through symptom stabilization, enhanced self-awareness, and social integration. Incorporating family education and ongoing monitoring can further strengthen this empowerment process by ensuring adherence and safety, ultimately leading to better long-term outcomes for Ruby with schizoaffective disorder.

References

• American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing.
• Chen, X., & Tsai, S. (2017). Strengths-based approach in mental health care: A review. Journal of Social Work, 10(2), 123-135.
• Engel, G. L. (1977). The need for a new medical model: A challenge for biomedicine. Science, 196(4286), 129-136.
• Ferguson, S., & Ransom, J. (2019). Multidisciplinary approaches to empowerment in social work with marginalized populations. Social Work Practice, 27(5), 468-477.
• Geddes, J. R., & Miklowitz, D. J. (2013). Long-term treatments for bipolar disorder. The Lancet, 381(9878), 1672-1682.
• Lichtblau, L. (2011). Psychopharmacology demystified. Clifton Park, NY: Cengage Learning.
• Miklowitz, D. J., et al. (2014). Psychosocial treatments for bipolar disorder: Current evidence and future directions. Journal of Affective Disorders, 152-154, S1-S4.
• Saleebey, D. (2013). The strengths perspective in social work practice. Pearson Education.
• Sia, K. C., et al. (2017). Lithium toxicity in clinical practice: Monitoring and management. Indian Journal of Pharmacology, 49(4), 282–287.
• National Association of Social Workers. (2008). Code of ethics of the National Association of Social Workers. Retrieved from https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Ethics/Code-of-Ethics/Code-of-Ethics-English