As students, we all understand the importance of mental health in achieving academic success. However, with the demands of studying and assignment deadlines, it can be easy to overlook our mental well-being. This is where case studies about mental health can be valuable tools for students. By exploring real-life examples and studies of mental health, we can gain insight into prioritizing our mental health while pursuing academic success. In this article, we will examine some examples of mental health case studies and explore how studying them can help us maintain our mental well-being as students.
How Students Can Keep Up Their Mental Health
As a student, maintaining good mental health is essential to succeed in school and beyond. Unfortunately, the demands of academic life can sometimes take a toll on mental health. However, there are several strategies students can use to improve their mental health and well-being. In this article, we will explore some tips and strategies students can use to maintain their mental health.
- 1. Seek support: It’s important for students to know that they are not alone in their struggles. Reach out to friends, family, or mental health professionals for support when needed.
- 2. Practice self-care: Engage in activities you enjoy and help you relax and recharge. This may include exercising, meditation, or reading a book.
- 3. Stay organized: Staying organized and managing your time effectively can reduce stress and improve your mental well-being. Use a planner or digital tools to keep track of your schedule and deadlines.
- 4. Build healthy habits: Eating a healthy diet, getting enough sleep, and reducing alcohol and drug use can improve mental health.
- 5. Stay connected: Maintaining social connections with friends, family, and peers can reduce loneliness and boost your overall well-being.
- 6. Take breaks: Don’t be afraid to take breaks from studying or schoolwork. Engage in activities you enjoy to give your brain a rest and recharge.
- 7. Seek help when needed: If you are experiencing significant distress or are struggling with your mental health, seek help from a mental health professional. There is no shame in asking for help; getting the support you need can improve your mental health and academic success.
Mental health case studies examples and studies have shown that students prioritizing their mental health have better academic outcomes and higher overall well-being. By following these tips and strategies, students can maintain their mental health and succeed academically and personally. Remember that maintaining good mental health is a journey; taking small steps daily is important to improve your well-being.
Mental Health Case Study as a College Assignment
At some time or other, in the study of Psychology or any mental health-related subject, students are required to write a case study. There is no specific definition of a case study. According to the article “What is a case study?” in Evidence-Based Nursing, it can be described as a profound, systematic investigation of a single individual, group, or community during which a researcher is supposed to examine data relating to several variable factors.
A mental health case study examines an individual’s background (i.e., behavioral patterns, health conditions, previous mental issues, etc.) and extrapolates results from any of these to predict possible future occurrences. It exposes students to real-life situations, improves their critical and analytical thinking, and simplifies complex contexts in the subject.
In writing a mental health case study, certain steps must be followed. In constructing a mental case study, you should:
● Define Participants
The first approach to writing a mental health case study is to select participants you will interview for your case study.
- Think of those who could serve as good examples in your mental health case study. You have to determine if you will interview an individual or group. If you look at the mental health case study samples from the Nottingham Community Housing Association, you’ll see one participant in each case study. By conducting personal interviews, you can focus better on a subject matter or medical issue.
- Collect the information about the participant’s background, occupation, medical history, educational qualifications, place of residence, and so on. The detailed data allow you to announce significant findings in a case study.
● Write the Essence of Counseling
The next step is to document why the participant needs counseling – what problem he or she wants to address, how it started, and the cause. It is also pertinent to document the effectiveness of the previous treatment and how it was provided to the participant. Your participant(s) should know the essence of the interview. Make the questions precise and concise.
● Record the Participant’s Symptoms
The third step is accurately describing the symptoms associated with the participant’s mental problem. Write down if he or she maintains eye contact, is depressed, sensitive, quick-tempered, obsessive, confused, or aggressive during an interview.
● Create a Case Study with the Data Derived
After you get information from interviewing a participant or group of participants, you have to write your case study with the data collected. The case study should contain 4 sections: an introduction, background information, presentation of data, and conclusion.
1. A Case History Study
This section presents a detailed record of a participant’s background and the grounds for mental disorders that a researcher studies. Don’t forget to include the following in your mental health study:
- Background information. Include information about the participant’s background that serves as a ground for your case study. It is better to present the factors such as age, gender, work, health status, family mental health history, and social relationships. You can record your participant if he or she doesn’t mind. For example, at the site of the University of Birmingham, you’ll find short films that present a case study of different mental health situations. It surely helps your case study to be persuasive.
- Description of the problem. Formulate the problem in one or two sentences you will solve while writing a mental health case study. The behavioral, physical, physiological, psychiatric, and psychological symptoms should also be described. Note your participant’s thoughts, feelings, and emotions in detail.
- After thoroughly studying a particular mental health case, give an appropriate diagnosis using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. DSM–5 is a shortened title for a manual used by psychiatrists in all aspects of mental health. Provide the diagnostic criteria with the help of which you establish a diagnosis.
2. A Case Study Problem Solution
In this section, you’re supposed to focus on possible solutions based on theoretical approaches and your observation.
- Theoretical approaches to the solution. Describe how clinicians view any given participant’s mental health issue. There is a mental health library where you can find various treatment approaches. Moreover, it provides essential information about a therapy, its major theorists, and related articles. For example, one of the most frequently used approaches is cognitive-behavioral therapy. Welcome to the American Institute for Cognitive Therapy, where clinical psychologists and psychotherapists offer the highest quality cognitive-behavioral treatment for depression, anxiety, phobias, and many other mental health problems.
- Description of your findings with a discussion of their implications. Mention what you learned in your interviews about the research problem in the form of percentages or bullet points. Explain the value of your case study findings and how they influence an existing mental health problem. For example, you can reveal hidden issues for an addictive behavior that could prevent such a mental health problem as drug abuse. Focus on the points that would reduce the chance of suffering from mental health issues.
3. A Case Study Conclusion
This section is an inevitable part of any research paper, including a case study, where you need to summarize your conclusion in a clear, simple manner. Do not try to reiterate two previous sections simply. Just choose the key findings that highlight the significance of your research problem. Depending on your professor’s requirements, you can include the limitations of your case study. For example, a mental health case study deals with social isolation among teenagers. It means that the findings from this case study have limited application among the other social groups. As a result, the given issue needs further research.
4. References
If you get the information from external sources, you should reference all of them at the end of your case study. This part makes your case study more authentic and genuine.
There you have it! The above are steps you should adhere to if you want to write a powerful case study on mental health topics. Additionally, remember that your paper must be thoroughly proofread and edited according to a format (APA, MLA, Chicago, Turabian of Harvard). Tired of writing? Rely on our specialist in writing, proofreading, and editing. Be sure we do our work so that you can be proud of it!
Case studies on mental health are a critical tool in understanding and addressing this important issue. These mental studies examine real-world situations and provide valuable insights into the complexities of mental health and how it can impact individuals and communities. As a result, mental study is often a topic of discussion in college writing, highlighting the importance of raising awareness and addressing the challenges of mental health and studying.
About Terry Qin
Terry Qin is a 27-year-old R&D engineer from Shenzhen living in the US. He is interested in programming, new trends, and blogging.