Title: Unit 2 Case Scenario
Course: Fundamentals of Behavioral Health (70 Hours with MOAB) > Section: Unit 2: Legal Requirements, Ethical Responsibilities, Reporting, and Documentation

Please read the following Mini-Case Study and complete the Mini- Case Study questions.

Unit 2: Critical Thinking Mini-Case Study

John has been working at a local mental health clinic for the past year and has enjoyed the patients, the work, the other staff, and has commented that “this is the best job I have ever had.” He is a good communicator, is always helping others, and has a very calm approach even when he is stressed. He usually works with patients who have addictive disorders but recently he was assigned to work primarily with adolescent patients who are referred by their school counselors.  The teens are referred due to their aggressive behaviors in the classroom or verbalized interest in suicide. This is a new area for John and it has been very challenging. He shares a lot of the stories about what he sees and learns at work with his family and one close friend. In the last week he noticed one particular adolescent, Stan, has recently been talking about the suicide of Jamie, one of the students in his school. Stan has shown interest in the method taken by Jamie and why it happened. Stan said just yesterday, “I bet I can do just what Jamie did.”  John is aware that this is the first time Stan has actually verbalized thoughts about suicide in front of him. When he observed Stan, his clothes were rumpled and did not fit well, and he was having trouble sitting still. John wanted Stan to become more open with him, so he talked about his family and pets as a way to open a conversation. John is worried about Stan and thinks a lot about him outside of work.

Mini- Case Study Questions:

1.  What professional behaviors is John displaying?

2.  Is John disobeying any legal requirements or not assuming ethical responsibilities in his actions at work or in caring for Stan?  Please explain your answer.

3.  Is John violating boundaries in his care of Stan?  Please explain your answer.

4. If you were John, what would you document about Stan?