Case Study: Evelyn's Struggle With Mental Illness

A)

After viewing Evelyn’s story it is evident that major aspects of her life are causing her to battle with mental illness such as anxiety and depression. Where she often doesn’t feel like getting out of bed and has no motivation. Evelyn is currently battling a long addiction with consuming and dealing drugs; this has lead to Evelyn spending 2 Years in jail. It is made clear by Evelyn that she is a victim of domestic violence by her partner David. Whilst dealing with these issues Evelyn has no family or friend support and struggles with isolation with no social network, as her mother and sister no longer have any connection with her since she began her drug addiction began. Evelyn has a health condition called MS this can add to her stresses

Her time spent in prison may have added to these issues that Evelyn faces. In 2012, 46% of prison discharges reported having ever been told they have a mental health issue (including alcohol and drug use issues), and 21% of those entering prison were taking mental health related medication. (The health of Australia 's prisoners, 2012) Evelyn has been finding her time at home extremely hard ever since leaving prison especially with her daughter charlotte, as after spending 2 years in prison Charlotte didn’t recognize Evelyn when she was released. This is a major concern for Evelyn’s relationship with her daughter, as she needs to focus on spending time with Charlotte and rebuilding a mother daughter connection. Due to Evelyn struggling with her relationship and depression she is struggling to put Charlotte first and this can lead to having an unstable relationship with her daughter in the

(Chenoweth and McAuliffe, 2014) It is important that social workers acknowledge the core values of respect for others and acceptance that each person has unique worth as an individual are universal and should cross time and cultures. (Chenoweth an McAuliffe, 2014) In Evelyn’s situation ethical challenges can raise due to being more than one person involved, such as Evelyn daughter and the potential risk of her being in danger with her father as she is in a domestic household. This can be conflicting as a social worker because although David is showing clear signs of abuse towards Evelyn, Evelyn makes it clear that he is in fact a good dad with charlotte. This can then lead to issues for charlotte in the future if her connection with her father is lost and she gets taken away from both her parents as she is at risk of the potentially losing Evelyn If she continues to abuse drugs and not take full care of her daughter. This situation is seen as an ethical dilemma when a social worker see’s themselves faced with a choice between two equally unwelcome alternative that may involved a conflict of moral principles and its it not clear which choice will be the right one. (Chenoweth and McAuliffe, 2014) This is when models for ethical decision making become affective in deciding how to deal with the potential risk of danger that charlotte may be