Introduction
Problem
With numerous centers all over Australia, Headspace has employed psychologists, general practitioners, and psychiatrists to help youths aged between 12 – 25 years suffering from various problems. These problems include; stress, drug abuse, bullying and harassment. They also help the youths with relationship, socialization, sex and sexuality issues. Some of these problems compel the youths to confide in the professionals.
Moreover, some parents may find it difficult to accept that their children are suffering from these problems. Most of these youths are still in their parents’ custody therefore they must be treated without violating the confidentiality code. This will help the clients open up more and receive appropriate treatment.
This is why there is need to employ a Family After-Consult Coordinator who will monitor the progress of treatment while ensuring that the confidentiality code between the GP or psychiatrist and the child is not broken. In addition, there is need for the parents to understand their children’s problems by allowing them to interact with other parents on Headspace whose children have had the same problems.
Body
Analysis of problem
Cases of young clients disappearing from Headspace centers and other such organizations without completing their treatment are common. Others may not run away but they decide to stay at the expense of losing trust in the GPs, psychologists or psychiatrists. Such cases occur when these professionals may at one time or the other feel compelled to inform the families of their clients about their conditions or problems.
Some of the problems these youths face are usually of private nature. Hence they would like to keep them as secrets between them and the GPs, psychiatrist or psychologists. However, their problems are usually compounded by their family members who may not understand them.
This drives them away making the process of treatment more difficult. Change of strategy aimed at keeping the confidentiality code between the young clients and the GP or psychologist will ensure the success of the treatment program. Creating awareness among parents of the affected clients’ problem will also help in quick recovery of the patient. The client will be more trusting hence easier to treat while in the care of an understanding family.
Conclusion
Recommendations
With the help of a Family After-Consult Coordinator, Headspace will ensure that their clients are treated effectively without breaking the confidentiality code between the young client and the GP or psychologist. For the treatment to be effective, the client must receive support from his family.
Thus, it is important for parents with children in Headspace to interact and share their experiences. Such family support groups which can be coordinated through the help of Community Development Office Gold Coast will help the parents understand their predicament. This will give them energy to continue supporting their children.