Assessment details:
400-word A4 poster with a reference list.
Using the scenario Ruby's story, you will choose a topic of self harm or suicidal thoughts, to create a poster that will help Ruby and her careers/family and significant others to have a better understanding of Ruby's mental ill-health or illness, and help the consumer move closer to their recovery. Need Assignment Help?
This poster should be educational, help promote good mental health and easily understood by non-health professionals.
HINT: Think of some information (topics) that you would like to provide to the consumer and their careers, family and significant others from the scenario, that would help promote positive mental health and recovery. Think of information that could help with early intervention to prevent mental ill-health or mental illness for the consumer. The poster should effectively communicate the key message in an engaging and succinct manner.
Use evidence-based information with a minimum of 5 relevant, current, peer-reviewed academic resources.
Ruby's story:
Ruby is a 20-year-old woman who presented to the Emergency Department (ED) due to changes in her mental health. She was brought in by her mother, Sylvia, who reported that she picked Ruby up from Melbourne and brought her back to Western Sydney after Ruby's flatmate, Alicia, contacted her about the changes in Ruby's mental health.
Ruby has been living in Melbourne for the past year, where she works as a shoe sale assistant on a casual basis. She planned to return to Sydney before the end of the year to start her teaching degree in 2024. This was cut short due to the changes in Ruby's mental health. According to Sylvia, Ruby has been going out and drinking alcohol every night in the past few weeks, with friends that she met recently. Ruby has not had much sleep in the past few weeks as she comes home most mornings, sleeps for 2 to 3 hours, and has a shower before going to work at 9 am. The manager of the shoe shop where Ruby is working has warned her that she will lose her job if she continues to arrive late at work and smelling of alcohol. Ruby has admitted to her flatmate Alicia that she has been smoking marijuana and experimenting with other illicit drugs with her new friends. Ruby stated, 'I don't' know what I've been taking, but it made me feel good.'
Recently, the two friends had a verbal altercation after Alicia tried to talk to Ruby about the changes in her behaviour. Ruby became irritable and angry, telling Alicia, 'you're just jealous that I have met other people and I am enjoying myself without you. I can't help it if people love me more than they love you. I want to make the most of this before I start uni.
A few nights ago, Ruby called Alicia at 3 am to pick her up from their local pub. Ruby explained that she felt unsafe to go home on her own because she thought that she was being watched and followed by a guy who was in love with her. When they arrived at their flat, Ruby ran to her room and locked her door. The next day, she did not go to work and did not contact her employer. The manager of the shoe store contacted Ruby and informed her that she was no longer required to work in the store. Alicia thought that Ruby would be devastated by this news as this was her only source of income, but instead Ruby told Alicia 'I was too good for that job anyway. It's their loss'.
Ruby did not leave the flat for the next few days. Alicia noticed changes in Ruby's mood. She stayed in her room most of the time. She had not showered in days, ate little amounts of food, and barely had any sleep. She would watch TV or watch YouTube videos on her phone all night. She stated to her flatmate 'I don't want to sleep; I feel that something bad is about to happen'. One night, Ruby asked Alicia for help as she started to have thoughts of suicide, but with no plan of how she would hurt or kill herself. Alicia felt she had no choice but to contact Ruby's mum, Sylvia, to ask her for help.
During the interview, Ruby sat next to her mother, slumped with her head on her hands. She would get up and pace while wringing her hands. Although she presented as well-groomed and neat, Ruby was wearing clothes that were big for her small stature. When her mother excused herself to go to the toilet, Ruby opened up about her experience to the nurse. She told the nurse that she did not want her mother to know that she had been feeling unmotivated, that she had lost interest in going to university (when all she wanted was to become a teacher) and had been having suicidal thoughts with no plan. She mentioned that her 'heart has been beating 100 miles per hour and feels like something bad is about to happen. I don't know why, and I will do anything to make it stop.' She mentioned that she had been commenced on 20mg of Paroxetine daily by a GP in Melbourne four weeks ago, and asked the nurse if she should continue taking this medication.
Please choose topics as Self Harm or Suicidal Thoughts
At a minimum, students should include:
Student name and student ID.
A title that clearly indicates your topic (you can make it catchy).
Significance of topic - You can start by explaining why your topic is important.
Statement about the incidences of the mental health issue/s in Australia.
Explain how your topic can facilitate recovery and promote wellbeing
Future directions (consider what needs to be done to sustainably support recovery and wellbeing of mental health consumer)
Tips
A poster is a visual representation of your chosen topic.
Use graphs, tables, diagrams, and images where appropriate. Use colours to attract attention and give your work some impact.
Ensure that all graphics and visual images are relevant to your topic.
Keep it simple, clear, and concise. Use language that is academic, professional, and recovery orientated. Avoid jargon, acronyms and stigmatising.
The poster needs to be eye-catching, attractive, and engaging but avoids overcrowding of information - The poster needs to be an A4 page.