Discussion1: Managing the Impact of Schizophrenia Diagnosis

A diagnosis of schizophrenia most often comes in early adulthood. Often what are called “first breaks” come while an individual is in college. This lifelong and life-changing diagnosis for a 20- or 21-year-old often comes as a shock and causes much dismay for the client and his or her family members.

For this Discussion, consider how you would work with the client and his or her family members to acclimate to this diagnosis. Then consider how you would prepare them for the changed expectations they will now have for their loved one. Finally, using your skills from previous coursework, describe the developmental expectations that have changed since the diagnosis. Consider also the grief and loss the family will experience. Be sure to use a strengths perspective to address potential concerns.

· Post a description of how you, as a social worker, might work with a client and the client’s family in acclimating to the client’s recent diagnosis of schizophrenia. 

· Then explain how you might help the client’s family manage the grief and loss related to the changes in developmental expectations since the client’s diagnosis. 

· Finally, explain how you might help the client and the client’s family prepare for the changed expectations they now have for the client. 

· Be sure to use the strengths perspective to address their concerns.

References (use 3 or more)

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing.

· “Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders” (pp. 87–122)

Beecher, B. (2009). The medical model, mental health practitioners, and individuals with schizophrenia and their families. Journal of Social Work Practice, 23(1), 9–20.

Bradshaw, W., Armour, M. P., & Roseborough, D. (2007). Finding a place in the world: The experience of recovery from severe mental illness. Qualitative Social Work, 6(1), 27–47.

Perkins, D. V., Raines, J. A., Tschopp, M. K., & Warner, T. D. (2009) Gainful employment reduces stigma toward people recovering from schizophrenia. Community Mental Health Journal, 45(3), 158–162.

Prince, J. D. (2005). Family involvement and satisfaction with community mental health care of individuals with schizophrenia. Community Mental Health Journal, 41(4), 419–429.

Somers, V. (2007). Schizophrenia: The impact of parental illness on children. The British Journal of Social Work, 37(8), 1319–1334.

Discussion2:
Policy Process and Public Opinion

Managing public opinion and understanding the balance between its influence and your advocacy goals is a delicate matter. It is a task fraught with uncertainty because, as a policy advocate, you must navigate through the territory of politicians, bureaucrats, and lobbyists whose primary goals are to appease and please their constituents.

In this Discussion, you select a social problem that is of interest to you and identify how public opinion influences the process and political approaches involved in addressing that social problem.

· Post a description of the importance of public opinion in addressing the social problem you have selected. 

· How does public opinion influence political approaches to the problem? 

· Explain. 

· What policy advocacy approaches and skills can you use to address the problem with political leaders? 

· What are the social justice implications of your approach?

References (use 3 or more)

Burns, J. C., Paul, P. D., & Paz, S. R. (2012). Participatory asset mapping: A community research lab toolkit. Retrieved from http://www.communityscience.com/knowledge4equity/AssetMappingToolkit.pdf

Community Toolbox. (2016). 2. Assessing community needs and resources. Retrieved from http://ctb.ku.edu/en/assessing-community-needs-and-resources 

Jansson, B. S. (2018). Becoming an effective policy advocate: From policy practice to social justice. (8th ed.). Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole Cengage Learning Series.

· Chapter 4, “Understanding the Ecology of Policy in Government, Electoral, Community, and Agency Settings” (pp. 100–140)

Rome, S. H., & Hoechstetter, S. (2010). Social work and civic engagement: The political participation of professional social workers. Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare, 37(3), 107–129.