How to Engage Clients in Mental Health Treatment

It is a very important, but sometimes difficult task to engage mentally ill clients in treatment. The nature of mental illness makes it likely that some ill people "slip through the net." This is because they may lack insight into their illness or lack the motivation to continue with treatment programs. Some symptoms of serious mental illness, such as depression or psychotic disorders, are known as negative symptoms. These include apathy, lack of organization and lack of motivation. These symptoms can make it difficult for a client to get out of bed in the morning, let alone go to a clinic or treatment center. There are, however, steps you can take to help these clients to engage in treatment.

Instructions

• 1

  Adopt an assertive approach to treating mentally ill patients in the community. A study reported by Herinckx et al in Psychiatric Services, noted a significant improvement in attendance when mental health care staff adopted this approach. Send regular appointment reminders, and if feasible, arrange for a psychiatric community nurse to visit a person who seems to have stopped attending the services. When a mentally ill person stops treatment this is often a warning sign of a deterioration in her condition.

• 2

  Address the barriers. A clinical trial that studied low-income seniors suffering from depression in New York, utilized this approach. Many barriers may prevent a mentally ill person from maintaining treatment. These include physical, psychological and social barriers. The client may not be able to afford transportation costs of going to the center, for instance. He may be embarrassed about attending or may be unable to get there because of a physical disability. Aim to tackle these barriers.

• 3

  Maintain continuity of care as much as possible. If the mentally ill person can, for instance, form a bond with a care worker, she is more likely to respond when this worker approaches her. Develop the social side of care. Many mentally ill clients suffer loneliness and isolation. Lunch clubs, walking groups or craft classes can help address this problem and look beyond the illness to the person beneath.