Victorian Mental Health Case Study: Darren's Treatment and Referral

This case study focuses on Darren, a patient experiencing mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, and potential substance abuse. The assignment explores the importance of a referral pathway to Victorian mental health services and emphasizes the need for family engagement in the treatment process. It outlines treatment plans, including the assessment of the patient’s mental health condition, counseling (both individual and family), and the application of family and group therapy to address specific issues such as strained family relationships and substance abuse. The study highlights the role of family in promoting patient recovery and reducing the burden of care, with references to relevant literature and resources.

CASE STUDY OF
DARREN -PRESENTED BY:

Identification of a referral
pathway:
The Victorian citizens are referred to mental health services
by the GP. As has already been mentioned in case of Darren,
he had been prescribed antidepressants for anxiety and
depression by his GP. At present his state has deteriorated
and he has been reported to experience high fluctuation in
mood levels and agitation. Darren at present must be
referred to a non-clinical Mental Health Community Support
Service within Victoria (www2.health.vic.gov.au, 2019).

Family engagement:
In order to promote recovery of
the patient, the family members
of the patient would be actively
involved in the care process:
To improve communication
between Darren and his family
members (his mother and three
siblings)

Family engagement:
To promote wellness of the
patient and the family and
reduce the burden of care.

Treatment Plans:
Assess the patient’s mental health condition
with the help of MSE evaluation
Administration of patient counselling as well
as family counselling so as to educate and
spread awareness about the mental health
status of the patient

Treatment Plans:
Administration of family therapy so as to work
on the strenuous relationship between the
patient and his mother (Galanter et al., 2015)
Administration of group therapy to foster
abstinence form substance abuse (Galanter et
al., 2015)

References:
Galanter, M., Kleber, H. D., & Brady, K. (Eds.). (2014). The
American Psychiatric Publishing textbook of substance
abuse treatment. American Psychiatric Pub.
www2.health.vic.gov.au (2019). Support and intervention
services. [online] Www2.health.vic.gov.au. Available at:
https://www2.health.vic.gov.au/mental-health/mental-
health-services/support-and-intervention [Accessed 8 Apr.
2019].

THANK YOU!!