Creating Community Resources for Virtual Clients with Mental Illness

This article discusses the inadequacy of community resources for virtual clients with mental illness and proposes three types of resources to address their needs. The resources include interactive child programs, therapeutic counselling, and drug and alcohol treatment services. The article highlights the importance of youth programs, therapeutic counselling for caregivers and single parents, and employment programs for people living with mental illness. The proposed resources aim to address these inadequacies and provide virtual clients with the necessary support and services.

Running head: CREATING COMMUNITY RESOURCES
Creating community resources
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author note

1CREATING COMMUNITY RESOURCES
Resources inadequate in the community
In the present community the strength of the services offered are community education,
settlement services and employment programs. The three resources that are inadequate in
community to meet the needs of the virtual clients are youth programs, therapeutic counselling
for caregivers, and single parents and lastly, the employment programs for people living with
mental illness. It constitutes the weakness of the community offerings.
For young people with mental illness there is need of youth programs as there are serious
implications due to inadequacy of these programs. Youth programs and employment programs
will help develop social network among the people with mental illness. As per Maulik et al.
(2009) social network and support is associated with the greater use of the general medical
services and different mental health services. Further there is need of therapeutic counselling for
caregivers, and single parents. When people with mental illness receive increased social support
from the relatives and friends it influences the use of the mental health services. Lack of youth
programs will lead to lack of strong network and accurate information on the mental illness. It
delays the on time treatment of psychiatric problem and worsening of symptoms. The caregivers
and single parents of people with mental illness are in need of therapeutic counselling. It can be
in form of self-help groups or online support groups. It acts as ubiquitous resource for every
medical, psychological, and social problem (Perron, 2002). There is need of employment
program for people living with mental illness. It will better help discuss the emotions and express
feelings. It will ensure higher rates of emotional support and self-disclosure for virtual clients
(Perron, 2002). Employment education and support is required as it increases the financial well
being as well creates the positive social network. It will decrease the risk of isolation and

2CREATING COMMUNITY RESOURCES
deterioration of mental health (Drake et al., 2016). Therefore the above missing resources must
be addressed immediately.
Three types of resources to address the needs
There are three types of resources that are proposed for addressing the virtual client
needs. It includes interactive child programs, therapeutic counselling and lastly drug and alcohol
treatment services.
The online interactive child programs via social media sites like Facebook will allow
single parents as well as other family members to resolve queries and play related concerns. The
online forum will help watch videos for child care and ways to implement play in children’s life.
Therapeutic counselling can be given online for virtual clients in remote locations using internet
as well as telephone (Kit et al., 2018). It can also be delivered using smartphones app as it will
help in accessing the services and prevent social stigma. It will maintain anonymity and reduce
cost burden on clients. Alcohol and drug services required by virtual clients can also be fulfilled
using the computer based cognitive behavioural therapy as well as SMART program. Using chat
and video options clients will be motivated, help cope with urges, managing thoughts, feelings,
behaviours and living balanced life (Olthuis et al., 2015).

3CREATING COMMUNITY RESOURCES
References
Drake, R. E., Bond, G. R., Goldman, H. H., Hogan, M. F., & Karakus, M. (2016). Individual
placement and support services boost employment for people with serious mental
illnesses, but funding is lacking. Health Affairs, 35(6), 1098-1105.
Kit, P. L., Teo, C. T., Tan, M., & Park, Y. (2018). Singapore children’s online counselling
experiences on a live chat portal. British Journal of Guidance & Counselling, 1-13.
Maulik, P. K., Eaton, W. W., & Bradshaw, C. P. (2009). The role of social network and support
in mental health service use: findings from the Baltimore ECA study. Psychiatric
Services, 60(9), 1222-1229.
Olthuis, J. V., Watt, M. C., Bailey, K., Hayden, J. A., & Stewart, S. H. (2015). Therapist-
supported internet cognitive–behavioural therapy for anxiety disorders in adults. BJPsych
Advances, 21(5), 290-290.
Perron, B. (2002). Online support for caregivers of people with a mental illness. Psychiatric
Rehabilitation Journal, 26(1), 70.