Transcription
A GUIDE TO COMPLETING YOURSTRENGTHS ASSESSMENTSt. Vincent’s Mental Health Service1Developed by C Crimmings February 2013Version 1 Review October 2013
Every Case Manager at St. Vincent’s HospitalMental Health Service works within the StrengthsModel: A Recovery-Oriented Approach to MentalHealth Services. St. Vincent’s adopted this modelin 2006.The Strengths Assessment was developed by Rapp& Goscha (2006) and is part of the tools we use tohelp you to identify your strengths to help you onyour recovery journey and make your own choicesand decisions.The Department of Health Victoria also has setRecovery Principles for each mental health serviceor agency to implement.The Strengths Model has 6 Principles that underpinall the work that you do with your Case Manager.The Principles are on the following page!2Developed by C Crimmings February 2013Version 1 Review October 2013
The 6 Strengths Principles1. People have thecapacity to recover, reclaim& transform their lives2. The focus is on the3. The consumer is thedirector of the helpingrelationshipindividual’s strengthsrather than deficits4. The relationship is primaryand essential5. The preferred setting forour work is the communityRapp & Goscha, 20063Developed by C Crimmings February 2013Version 1 Review October 20136. The community is an oasisof resources
The Strengths Assessment helps you to: Identify what your strengths areGain awareness of who you areEncourage you to take control of your life andmake choices and decisionsLearn about yourself from past and currentexperiencesUnderstand what you want in the futureHelps you to focus on what is positive in yourlife and not dwell on the things that are not sogoodKnow what resources you have withinyourself and around youEnables you to look at what communityresources there are where you liveGive you hope when you feel you have lost asense of direction or purposeYour Case Manager will help you to complete yourStrengths Assessment. You may be asked aboutsome of your strengths they have noticed orlearned from you and think have helped you inthe past and would help you in the future.4Developed by C Crimmings February 2013Version 1 Review October 2013
What are your strengths?Strengths can be in many forms: Personal qualities & characteristicsTalentsSkillsInterestsHopes and wishesEnvironmentalPersonal qualities and efulReliableHard WorkingFriendlyEasy to talk toGenerousTalents and skillsGood card playerGood memoryGood at budgetingKnows a lotabout musicCan repair enginesGood cookComputer wizardGood at writingpoetryGood withnumbers5Developed by C Crimmings February 2013Version 1 Review October 2013
Environmental strengthsA safe andcomfortable homeyou really likeHave a goodrelationshipwith the localshop keeperAn older brotherwho goes with youto appointmentsUse local libraryserviceBeing part of thelocal churchA neighbour youget on well withA pet you are veryfond ofLinks to localmental healthfacility/PDRSPersonal Interests and AspirationsLove to go fishingWould like tohave a paid jobEnjoy watching oldmoviesWould like tobe free of MHservicesWould like to bean electricianWould like tolearn how tocookWould like to haveyour own car onedayWould like to bea successfulmusicianBe happy andsettled6Developed by C Crimmings February 2013Version 1 Review October 2013
It is very important that you are able to tell thestory about your life so far. You may haveexperienced a lot of painful times. You may havestruggled with many things.Your Case Manager will listen and acknowledgewhat has happened to you, both good and not sogood! You will then be helped to look at whatstrengths you have drawn on in thepast to help you through bad times.It is up to you what goes in to yourdocument. Your Case Manager and members ofyour treating team will see it and a copy will bekept in your file.You can sit and chat with your Case Manager;write it down; use Art; chat over a coffee; whiletaking a walk; doing something you enjoy. youcan take it away and work on ityourself and with family and friends ifyou wish.Your Case Manager will start the StrengthsAssessment for you if you are not in a place whereyou want to think about it. Then it will bediscussed with you when you are ready to. It isthen up to you what you want to be included in it.7Developed by C Crimmings February 2013Version 1 Review October 2013
My Strengths AssessmentSTEP 1 When you start working on yourStrengths Assessment, think about some of thethings you would like now. For example: A satisfying jobA relationshipSome spare money to enjoy yourselfGood relationships with friends and familyA good place to liveA good social lifeThese go in the middle column (future wishes)You don’t need to know the detail or understandwhat you want or why. You will be helped toexplore these things when you begin working onyour goal planSTEP 2 Think about what has been good in yourlife; what has made you happy and worked foryou before? These things go in the last column(past strengths)8Developed by C Crimmings February 2013Version 1 Review October 2013
STEP 3 Think about what is good in your life now;what is making you happy or content, what andwho are the people who are positive and makelife better for you (current strengths)?STEP 4 What is most important to you from all thehopes and dreams that you have now? Try and listthem 1-3 with number 1 being the mostimportantYou can develop your Strengths Assessment overtime, when you are ready and as your lifechanges.You may decide that some of your currentstrengths become your past ones for the moment.Circumstances, people and things around uschange as well as within ourselves. You may liketo start a fresh one so it shows what is reallymeaningful for you at any point in time.9Developed by C Crimmings February 2013Version 1 Review October 2013
Your dreams, wants and needs will change overtime too. Maybe even from day to day.Your Case Manager will continue to help youidentify your strengths and help you to writethem down in your own words and the languageyou would normally use. You can use pictures,drawings, photos in it! Whatever you like.Whilst continuously working on your StrengthsAssessment, you will also be working on your GoalPlan.Your Case Manager will explain to you what this isabout and how it fits in with your StrengthsAssessment.This is what your Strengths Assessment will looklike.10Developed by C Crimmings February 2013Version 1 Review October 2013
Strengths Assessment1Current Status:What’s going on today?What’s available now?Future Wishes:Desires, aspirations.What do I want?Daily Living SituationFinancial SituationWork/Education11Developed by C Crimmings February 2013Version 1 Review October 2013Past Experiences:Personal, social, resources. Whathave I used in the past?
2Current Status:What’s going on today?What’s available now?Future Wishes:Desires, aspirations.What do I want?Past Resources:Personal, social. What have I usedin the past?Social/Spiritual SupportHealthLeisure/RecreationPersonal QualitiesWhat are my priorities?What are my priorities?1.2.3.Consumer’s comments:Case Manager/worker’s comments:Consumer’s signature:Case Manager/worker’s signature:12Developed by C Crimmings February 2013Version 1 Review October 2013
Understand what you want in the future . Have a good relationship with the local shop keeper Use local library . movies Would like to be an electrician Would like to have your own car one day Be happy and settled Would like to have a paid job Would like to be free of MH services Would li
