EDP 6233: Mental Health Services in Schools (Guerra)

• Why is collecting background information important?

Using the medical model as a guide, no evidence-based intervention is introduced until adequate background data has been collected.

•  What kind of information should I collect?

Background information may vary depending on the age of the individual; however it will always begin with basic family and demographic information.

• How should I organize the background information?

• Background Information/Developmental History: divide this into subsections, something like:
  • Family and Demographic Information – ethnicity, marital status, children, family history of medical and psychiatric problems, and traumatic events in the family system.
  • Social/Relationship History – significant relationships with others, friends, social support
  • Educational History – highest level of educational achievement, any problems in school, any special services provided, special education testing
  • Occupational History – how many jobs and how long at each, reasons for leaving jobs, satisfaction with current job, job-related stressors
  • Medical History – present health, any health concerns or chronic illness, changes in sleep or appetite patterns, complications surrounding pregnancy/birth, history of head injury, present and previous use of medications, last physical examination
  • Previous Psychological/Psychiatric Services – what were the issues at the time, what did the services involve, what were the results

          For any identified areas of concern, include complete information on history, frequency, intensity, duration, antecedents and consequences, etc.

• Behavioral Observations: physical appearance, hygiene, abnormal behaviors or verbalizations, affect, attitude, attention level, activity level, degree of cooperation, social skills, etc. Describe any behaviors that contribute to your understanding of the client.

• Summarize: one paragraph in which you integrate all of the information gathered to this point, describe current level of functioning and psychosocial stressors, provide an overall picture of the client and your hypotheses about what factors are contributing to the presenting problem or concern. Be sure to identify areas of strength as well.  (Sullivan, 2017)

• When do I know that I have collected sufficient information?

Once you begin to collect redundant data, you may determine that sufficient data has been collected.

• How do I determine that I have developed an effective background section?

An effective background section provides detailed information about the client.  Demographic information is included along with all pertinent information that describes contributing factors to the identified concern. The goal is better understand contributing features associated with the presenting problem.