Community Mental Health Clinical

West Central Human Service Center

By: Michelle C.

West Central Human Service Center

Mission:
-To provide quality, efficient, and effective human services, which improve the life of people.

*Located in Bismarck, it is one of eight human service centers in North Dakota. *Provides services to a ten-county area, which includes more than 130,000 people.

West Central Human Service Center

Services Offered:
Mental Health Services
Substance Abuse Treatment Services Disability Services Regional Aging Services County Program Supervision

Substance Abuse Treatment -Day Treatment (with Jeff R. & Kiki S.)
Structured, outpatient, Ranges anywhere from

5-8 hrs/day, for 4-5 treatment program for days/week. Lasting people of all ages and between 2-5 weeks. their families that are dealing with chemical dependency/substance On average between 5 abuse. and 9 group members.

Advocating for clients Knowledge & Skills obtained during clinical.

It is important to view The importance of providing

and treat clients as whole people and not just an addiction or disorder.

the client/s with different supports including information on available self-help groups, friends, and sponsors.

If you are going to engage in a

discussion, it is important that you have knowledge about the subject content. This helps to create a functional and trusting relationship with the client.

Community Mental Health Clinical Client Summary

Client:

S.B. 31-year-old, female. She has a 13-year-old son. Lives in a home with her son. Has worked for the same company for 10 years. Stated that she Struggles with saying her use is a problem.

Client Summary cont

Axis I criteria
Depression
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Bipolar I Disorder

Alcohol Dependence

Prescribed medications:
Lexapro, (escitalopram): anti-depressant. It inhibits the
reuptake of serotonin into the central nervous system.

Lamictal, (lamotrigine): anti-convulsant. It stabilizes neuron

membranes by blocking sodium transport. Decreases the amount of mood swings associated with Bipolar I Disorder

What client needs to do to be successful in the community

Temporary change in living arrangement (halfway house or sober living home.)
Set personal goals that are attainable and

meaningful to her.
Become an active member in community by joining a

neighborhood group or becoming active in church.

What client needs to manage her illness

Admit to herself that she has a problem with substance

abuse / addiction.
Develop positive support system, including family and sober

friends.
Anticipate potential stressors/triggers and develop positive

ways of dealing with them.

Seek out volunteer or leisure activities that interest her and

fill in free time.

Attend meetings/support groups and make them a priority.

What client needs to improve her quality of life

Attend individual and family counseling. Understand the importance of changing her lifestyle,

friends, and daily habits to stay sober.

Realize that recovery is a lifelong process. Believe that there is hope for her future. To learn how to deal with stress in healthy ways.

What are the clients teaching needs?

Teach the client how to recognize stressors that

may aggravate substance abuse problem and how to avoid or prevent them.
Teach the client alternative methods to relieve

tension and anxiety.

Provide client with a list of community agencies

that offer support; including counseling agencies and self-help groups.

Teach the client the importance of abstaining from

alcohol and drugs.

The impact on my future practice

I understand that mental health issues have

a direct impact on substance abuse issues.

I will know how to respond to individuals that

present with alcohol and/or drug intoxication. (Ex. Aggression, mania, hallucinations, etc)
Understand that people with addiction and other

mental health are still people and they should be treated as such.

The End