Unit 20 – Understanding Mental Wellbeing
Assignment Two
Date: 15/01/2024
Learning Aims:
Learning Aim C: Examine the impact of mental il health on individuals and others in their
social networks
Learning Aim D: Examine strategies which promote mental wellbeing and mental health
Contents:
Page 2 - 6: C.P4 - Explain the impact of mental ill health on a selected individual
Page 14: C.P5 - Explain how mental ill health affects a selected individual’s relationships
with others
Page 17 - 18: D.P6 - Explain the strategies that can be applied to promote the mental
wellbeing and mental health of a selected individual diagnose with a mental ill-health
condition
Page 15 - 16: C.M3 - Analyse the impact of mental ill health on a selected individual’s
relationships within their social networks with reference to factors that may have caused it
Page 17 - 18: D.M4 - Justify strategies that can be applied to promote the mental wellbeing
and mental health of a selected individual diagnosed with a mental ill-health condition,
making reference to relevant legislation, policies and codes of practice
Page 19 - 20: D.D2 - Evaluate the importance of promoting, protecting and restoring the
mental wellbeing and mental health of a selected individual diagnosed with a mental ill-
health condition
Page 7 - 13: CD.D3 - Evaluate how accurate diagnosis of mental ill-health conditions
leads to correct treatment
Case Study: Michael Phillips
Michael Phillips is 29 years old and has been diagnosed with clinical depression. Michael has
visited his GP on a number of occasions, complaining of general aches and pains, lack of
energy, and disturbed sleep patterns. The GP could find no apparent cause for the symptoms
and prescribed a tonic.
Michael became less motivated, eventually giving up his job as a carpenter for a large
company, as his mood became lower, and he stopped believing in his own competence for the
work required. Michael lived with his partner Louise who became concerned when Michael
claimed to have seen his deceased mother, who had told him it was ‘time to come home to
her’. Louise had now left the couple home, telling Michael to cheer up and that he is too
miserable to live with. His friends stopped contacting, as he would either refuse to go out, or
sit in a corner not communicating.
Michael has refused to accept help and is now in hospital following an attempt to end his own
life. He was admitted under a compulsory order and is being assessed by the team. Michael
feels that there is nothing in his life that is worthwhile and that he has nothing to get out of
bed in the morning for. He refuses to join in the social activities provided, saying that he is
,not interested. Michael does not chat to the other service users in the ward as he feels that his
sadness will upset them.
, C.P4 - Explain the impact of mental ill health on a
selected individual
Michael Phillps is affected by depression and PTSD, both being mood disorders with
profound effects on his life in all aspects.
Depression:
Physical Impacts:
Michael is often plagued with disturbed sleep, lack of energy, and aches and pains all over
the body. These are common symptoms of depression in adults and also include change in
speaking patterns (such as talking more slowly) and low sex drive. (NHS, 2023) When
suffering from these symptoms, Michael would be less likely to complete daily tasks as the
lack of energy from less sleep would put him off from completing them. Additionally, the
aches and pains make it hard to do more intense tasks such as leaving the house for doctor’s
appointments and going to work.
Intellectual Impacts:
Depression also affects Michael intellectually, including memory, cognitive ability and
concentration. He would be distracted and unable to focus on things around him, such as
conversations or events. Michael displays this when he goes out with his friends, showing
that he is uninterested in the conversations (low attention span) and keeps to himself. He may
also have troubles with memory in that he forgets about engagements and appointments, so
this would make it harder to attend appointments and go to meetings related to work.
(N.Lovering and D.Wade, 2021) It’s possible that he may have quit work due to making
mistakes relating to these symptoms, seeing as he says that he lacks the competence for the
job.
Emotional Impacts:
In terms of emotional effects, Michael will be feeling extreme sadness, hopelessness, and
emptiness and it would show in different ways. He would also lose interest in many of the
hobbies and activities he used to enjoy, such as how he has not engaged with his partner,
friends and family, and rather, has lack social interaction with them. He would also be feeling
suicidal and likely to harm himself. (C.Sawchuk, 2022) These symptoms can be dealt with
quite well on their own, but when put together, it is harder to cope. For example, due to the
feelings of hopelessness and helplessness, Michael would feel reluctant to partake in social
interactions, and pairing this with his tendency to harm himself, he would be restlessness and
agitated, as well as very temperamental.
Social Impacts: