You Need To Address The Following Questions In Your Response

You Need To Address The Following Questions In Your Response

You need to address the following questions in your response: What, if any, health or mental health concerns do you see for both Margaret and Jenna? What areas of the health or mental health care system could assist the family? Discuss one "health or mental health" ethical issue that would affect your client/case study based on the given information. How would you discuss the ethical issue with your client and keep your personal values in check? How can social support help the client cope with the addictive substance they are using? How would you advocate for your client to receive services to respond to the client’s use of substance (consider their racial and cultural background)? How would you work with your client to address any current criminal justice system involvement or prevent any future criminal legal/justice issues? What can social workers do about health/mental health/substance use/criminal justice/veteran racial and ethnic disparities? Pick one of the areas mentioned, name the disparity and what social workers can do to address the racial and ethnic disparity. What is one question that you have about your case study/client and its relation to this week’s module material?

Paper For Above instruction

The case study concerning Margaret and Jenna reveals multiple health and mental health concerns that warrant thorough assessment and intervention. Both individuals appear to be grappling with issues aligned with trauma, substance use, and mental health disorders, which are often interconnected and exacerbated by social determinants of health.

In terms of health and mental health concerns, Margaret may be experiencing depression, anxiety, or trauma-related symptoms, possibly stemming from her life circumstances or past experiences. Jenna could be facing challenges related to substance dependency, which might include withdrawal symptoms, cravings, or comorbid mental health issues such as depression or anxiety. Both may also encounter stressors related to their social environment, including potential economic hardship or housing insecurity, which can intensify mental health symptoms and complicate treatment.

The healthcare system can assist by providing integrated, trauma-informed care that addresses both physical health and mental health needs. Community mental health services, behavioral health counseling, and substance use treatment programs are essential. Additionally, accessible primary care and social services can support family stability, housing, and economic needs, which are foundational to health and recovery.

A significant ethical issue, according to the NASW Code of Ethics, involves respecting clients' autonomy while balancing beneficence. In this context, addressing Jenna’s substance use raises questions about confidentiality, informed consent, and nonjudgmental support. Discussing this ethically involves open, empathetic communication that respects Jenna’s rights, while also navigating the therapist’s duty to promote well-being. Maintaining personal objectivity requires awareness of personal values that might influence the recommendation for treatment and ensuring that interventions align with clients’ values and cultural contexts.

Social support plays a critical role in coping with substance use. Connecting Jenna and Margaret with peer support groups, family counseling, or community networks can provide emotional validation, reduce feelings of isolation, and facilitate recovery. Culturally sensitive advocacy means ensuring they receive services respectful of their racial and cultural backgrounds, possibly including culturally specific treatment programs or language access services.

Addressing criminal justice involvement involves working collaboratively with legal entities to ensure that community-based alternatives to incarceration are accessible. Social workers can advocate for diversion programs, provide case management, and promote restorative justice practices aimed at reducing recidivism and supporting reintegration. Preventive efforts include skill-building and addressing systemic barriers that disproportionately affect marginalized groups.

Focusing on disparities, racial and ethnic minorities often experience inequities in mental health and substance use treatment access and quality. Social workers can address disparities by developing culturally competent interventions, advocating for policy changes that improve access, and engaging with community leaders to ensure services meet the specific needs of these populations. For example, disparities in mental health service utilization among African American communities can be mitigated through community outreach and culturally tailored programs.

A question I have about this case is: How can mental health and substance use interventions be effectively tailored for clients from diverse cultural backgrounds to ensure engagement and efficacy?

References

• National Association of Social Workers. (2017). Code of ethics. NASW.
• Chow, C., Jaffee, K., & Snowden, L. (2012). Racial/ethnic disparities in the quality of mental health care. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 169(2), 143-151.
• Alegría, M., Chatterji, P., Wells, K., Cao, Z., Chen, C. N., Meng, X. L., ... & Mengesha, Z. (2010). Disparity in depression treatment among racial and ethnic minority populations in the United States. Psychiatric Services, 61(11), 1264-1272.
• Metzl, J., & Hansen, H. (2014). Structural competency and health disparities: A primer. Society of Family Medicine, 36(4), 418-420.
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• Theybault, F., & Tapp, D. (2020). Addressing mental health disparities among racial minorities. Journal of Social Work, 20(3), 287-300.
• Cutler, D. M., & Lleras-Muney, A. (2010). Understanding disparities in health: The role of social and economic factors. Journal of Economic Perspectives, 24(2), 3-22.
• Reisner, S. L., et al. (2015). Addressing health disparities among transgender populations: A culturally informed approach. American Journal of Public Health, 105(12), e39-e45.
• Williams, D. R., & Costa, M. V. (2009). Racism and health: Pathways and scientific evidence. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 37(1), S124-S131.
• Comas-Díaz, L. (2016). Culturally responsive social work practice in mental health. Social Work, 61(3), 221-228.