Case Study

Case Study

Case Study

Case Background

In this case the individual has been roistered to work general duties from 7am in the local area command of Northside. About 10am, he is called to the bank in relation to a person refusing to leave. He sees a man in the foyer, pacing backwards and forwards, that mental man appears to be getting increasingly distressed. He is told by staff that the man suffers from a mental illness and police have been called before to deal with him, though there has never been violence.

Introduction

Mental illness, especially the three serious diseases of bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and major depression are a huge social problem that affects more than just those it afflicts. More than 2.3 million Americans suffer from bipolar disorder and 20 percent of them commit suicide, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Schizophrenia and major depression affects another 2 million and one in 10 eventually dies by suicide (LaFond 30). Add to that 19 million adults who suffer from major depression and it is a large amount of the population who suffer from a mental illness. Out of these 23.3 million people who suffer from these diseases, as few as 20 percent receive treatment for their conditions. (LaFond, 30) Many of the mentally ill simply shun away attempts to help them. Whether or not mental health patients should be allowed to do this is a question that is asked by many. It is argued that they, like every other human being, have the civil right to make their own decisions regarding their body (www.patc.com). Many of these people do not even know the difference between reality and fiction, so how can they be expected to make conscious decisions concerning treatment for their illness? These people are given the opportunity to refuse needed treatment, and it is not their fault. The problem lies within a legal system that ignores the topic of mental health and refuses to come up with a working alternative to get mental patients the care they need and deserve.

Communication Barriers and Special Issues with Mentally Ill

I found out that there are some communication needs and barriers when police want to communocate with metally ill because the needs and barriers are unique to each individual.

Fear and Paranoia

One significant finding from this focus group in this case, which was not prominent in the literature, is that this population may have a high level of distrust for authority, especially police. Interview and focus group respondents stated that individuals with paranoia may perceive police as a threat. Several of those interviewed felt that many individuals in the mentally ill community have had negative experiences with the police and may not be receptive to any information delivered by police. Respondents agreed that other authority figures such as firefighters and emergency personnel would be more trusted than police, but still trusted at a lower level than those who have a previously established trust relationship with the mentally ill ...