Sarah Harris, Your Supervisor At The Pretrial Diversion Prog

Sarah Harris Your Supervisor At The Pretrial Diversion Programwhere

Sarah Harris, your supervisor at the pretrial diversion program where you are interning, obtains a case that she asks you to work on independently. The case involves Cindy Bichman, a mentally ill, homeless 38-year-old woman who has not showered in many weeks. She is hungry because she has not eaten in several days. Her mental illness is not under control because she is not taking any medication nor is she under the treatment of a psychiatrist because she does not know where to go, and she has no means of financial support. Therefore, her behavior is considered bizarre by those who do not know or understand her plight.

She spends her days roaming downtown panhandling. She has a history of obtaining food at homeless shelters as well as sleeping in these shelters when the weather necessitates it. On one particular day, she steals some bread from a local convenience store. The clerk contacts the police, and Ms. Bichman is arrested and taken to county jail.

She is eventually released to the pretrial diversion program and assigned to Ms. Harris, who in turn, gives the case to you. Ms. Harris tells you that she believes the helping professions of psychiatry and social work need to be involved with Ms. Bichman.

She asks you to do the following: Identify the core values of the psychiatry profession that would be important in this case, and explain why. Identify the core values of the social work profession that would be important in this case, and explain why. Use 2 core values from each discipline stated.

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

This case presents a complex intersection of mental health, homelessness, and criminal behavior, necessitating a multidisciplinary approach rooted in the core values of psychiatry and social work. Both professions emphasize ethical commitments that guide practitioners in addressing vulnerable populations, ensuring dignity, respect, and effective treatment. Identifying and applying these core values is crucial to developing an appropriate intervention plan for Ms. Bichman that aligns with best practices and ethical standards.

Core Values of Psychiatry Important in this Case

The field of psychiatry is founded on several core values that aim to promote mental health and protect patient well-being. Two particularly relevant values in this case are beneficence and respect for autonomy. Beneficence—the obligation to promote the patient's best interests—necessitates that psychiatrists work toward stabilizing Ms. Bichman’s mental health condition through medication management and therapy. This aligns with her need for psychiatric treatment, which could help her gain control over her mental illness, improve her quality of life, and reduce her risk of harm (American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2013).

Respect for autonomy refers to acknowledging and supporting a patient's rights to make decisions about their own treatment. In Ms. Bichman’s situation, ensuring her informed consent and understanding her treatment options is essential, even if her mental illness complicates her decision-making capacity (Fisher, 2019). Respecting her autonomy ultimately fosters trust and dignity, fundamental ethical principles in psychiatric practice.

Core Values of Social Work Important in this Case

Social work emphasizes values centered around social justice, dignity and worth of the person, and service. Two core values particularly relevant here are social justice and dignity and worth of the person. Social justice involves advocating for equitable access to treatment, resources, and support services, which is vital given Ms. Bichman’s homelessness, lack of support, and untreated mental illness. A social worker must work to eliminate barriers that prevent her from receiving necessary care and housing, aligning with the profession’s commitment to societal fairness (National Association of Social Workers [NASW], 2017).

Dignity and worth of the person reflect the importance of treating every individual with respect, regardless of their circumstances or behaviors. Ms. Bichman’s dignity should be preserved by addressing her needs compassionately and respecting her humanity, especially as she struggles with mental health and homelessness. Social workers are committed to empowering clients and advocating for their rights, which is essential in facilitating her access to mental health services, housing, and social supports (Rosen & Roberts, 2014).

Conclusion

Effective intervention in Ms. Bichman’s case requires integrating core values from both psychiatry and social work. The principles of beneficence and respect for autonomy from psychiatry guide the provision of medical treatment that aims to stabilize her mental health while respecting her individual rights. Concurrently, social justice and dignity and worth of the person drive efforts to ensure equitable access to resources, uphold her dignity, and advocate for her well-being. By applying these fundamental values, professionals can collaboratively create a comprehensive, ethical approach to support Ms. Bichman in achieving stability, safety, and dignity.

References

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596

Fisher, M. (2019). The moral landscape: How science can determine human values. Penguin.

National Association of Social Workers. (2017). Code of ethics. https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Ethics/Code-of-Ethics/Code-of-Ethics-English

Rosen, A., & Roberts, A. (2014). Ethical principles in social work practice. Journal of Social Work Values & Ethics, 11(2), 17-31. https://jswve.org/downloads/2014-vol11-no2/rosen-roberts-vol11-no2.pdf