Professional Code of Ethics and How it Applies to Mental Health Crises
Discussion Post:
Describe your professional code of ethics and how it applies to mental health crises. Additionally, explain duty to warn laws in your area. Finally, explain whether the scenario you chose would require a duty to warn based on your ethical code and local/state laws.
Learning Resources:
National Conference of State Legislatures. (2018, October 12). Mental health professionals’ duty to warnLinks to an external site..
Review your professional code of ethics from the following list:
American Counseling Association. (n.d.). Ethical and professional standardsLinks to an external site..
American Psychological Association. (2017, March). Ethical principles of psychologists and code of conductLinks to an external site..
Association for Addiction Professionals. (n.d.). Introduction to NAADAC/ NCC AP ethical standardsLinks to an external site.
National Association of Social Workers. (n.d.). Read the code of ethicsLinks to an external site..
National Organization for Human Services. (n.d.). Ethical standards for human services professionalsLinks to an external site..
Note: Read this scenario for the Week 6 Discussion. (Family Service Center)
You have been assigned to work with the Diggs family due to some behavioral issues the children are having at school. The parents, who both work, have both said their relationship is not the best. The wife, Jennifer, admits to cheating on her husband. The husband, Bobby, admits that he has spied on his wife and confronted her about her behavior. He’s been depressed and reports drinking to deal with his depression. Today, you are meeting with the husband, Bobby Diggs, only.
You point out to Bobby that there seems to be a lot of tension between him and his wife. You say, “I am wondering how this tension has affected your children.”
Bobby acknowledges that his anger causes the children to avoid him. “But it’s my wife’s fault,” he says. “If she would appreciate all that I do for this family, we wouldn’t be in this mess.”
You say, “It sounds like you want to blame Jennifer for everything?”
“Yes, there are times I wish she was not around. If she died today, I would be happy.”
“What do you mean by that statement?” you ask.
Bobby clarifies: “I mean I wish I wasn’t married to her. I wouldn’t mind if I didn’t have to deal with her.”
You ask Bobby if he’s wishing some harm comes to Jennifer.
Bobby replies, “I do think about her not being in my life. But I wouldn’t do anything to harm her. I need her to help with the children.”
Week 6: Mental Health Paper
Student's Name
College/University
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Professor's Name
Due Date
The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) code of ethics is a guideline incorporating standards that delineate social workers' professional conduct. Core values of social justice, service, the worth and dignity of an individual, the value of human relationships, competence, and integrity should guide my professional code of ethics. Social workers should assist individuals struggling with mental health to address their problems. It is crucial to emphasize the interests of others and address the social problems affecting their lives, including mental health crises. The social worker's primary goal should entail assisting people struggling with mental health issues based on the service principle. Since mentally ill people are typically marginalized and vulnerable, the social justice ethical principle would inform the social worker to pursue social change programs. Despite their mental health status, all people are worthy and deserve to be treated with dignity. The role of social workers in augmenting human relationships cannot be underestimated because they help foster, maintain, restore...