Assertive Community Treatment, Research Paper Example

The introductory video to the Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) model provides an overview of the basic services and approaches used in ACT. The film focuses on several patients, and demonstrates how ACT services are conducted in a real-world context. The main purpose of ACT is providing community-based support to individuals who have been seriously affected by mental illnesses. Also it is ensuring that these individuals live independently. One of ACT’s primary goals is minimizing incidences of hospitalization and inpatient care for mentally challenged persons.  The organization achievesthis goal by offering continuous routine structured support. The program also providesspecific crisis interventions when necessary. ACT is an evidence-based approach towards mental health interventions. The model  was applied, tested and proven very effective in reducing hospitalizations in serious mental cases.

While some mental health service models rely on individual case workers who manage client’scaseloads. ACT delivers a team-based approach model. They consist of professionals drawn from variety of disciplines. With immense expert background the program can efficiently offer education, medication monitoring, social support, among other related services. In the introductory film ACT team is seen meeting on a regularly with clients to discus and manage their concerns. Thisinteraction allows team members with specific expertise to coordinate care, support, and interventions in a timely and responsive manner. Unlike the individual caseworker model, the team member model has a more holistic approach being less focused on crisis intervention and aims towards functioning as a support-based model interrupting issues by addressing them before they become crises.

Essentially, in the ACT model clients are empowered to live in their communities independently instead within a group home or inpatient care environment.  ACT team members have a relatively low staff-to-client ratio. It is estimated at eleven clients to one staff member.Instead of allowing clients to visit offices or other clinical settings on a monthly for assessment and express concerns regarding medications and any other intervention, team members make routine home visits. Since ACT applies an interdisciplinary model the function encompasses conducting daily meetings according to clients’ concerns. Some ACT team members even deliver medications to clients at their homes and monitor usage. Other team members according to their specialization render support consistent with their discipline.

ACT’s effectiveness lay on its clients’ support and management services. For example, the team assists in rendering support in completing tasks and errands necessary for daily living.  This was well represented in of the scenes shown in the film. A team member was seen calling a client to discuss writing a grocery-shopping list. Team members were subsequently shown accompanying clients on shopping trips. Theseactivities are consistent with ACT’s goal of empowering clients to become independent. Clients with serious mental illnesses, navigating daily activities can be challenging. By providing routine, and dependable support, the ACT team facilitates a stress free life for their clients. Stress is considered a predisposing factor responsible for hospitalizations.

This adherence to a reliable structured approach and even lifetime assurance of facilities that assist in making life worthwhile even though challenges seems, to be one of the keys to  suc ACT’s success. As one team member explains, some clients may require regular interventions, sometimes several times a day, when they first enter the program.  After understanding the functions of the program clients begin to rely on ACT team the members’ assistance in managing daily life routines. They learn ultimately to trust the model and often require fewer interventions Sincemental illness can be difficult to treat and overcome, ACT team f may become a life time resource for many  clients Clearly, ACT framework was not  designed for  a short-term intervention and  treatment.

The ACT model offer a wide range of specific services designed to support the initiative  for clients to remaining a part of their communities an d execute responsiblytheactivities of daily living. Even though clients get medications delivered dailythey meet with team members weekly to discuss their medications issuesand to organize their dosages. Clients are encouraged to work when possible and participate in other community activities. Unlike group homes where a number of clients live under one roof under the oversight of an in-house caseworker, clients in ACT are given the tools and support to live with independence while still managing serious mentalillnesses.

Even though this film primarily discussed the positive aspects of ACT, there are some disadvantages too. Patients may not wish to adhere to medication regimens, or may have symptoms that become unmanageable (Mahoney, 2005).  The greatest challenge for ACT team members is that they must remain aware of changing circumstances and coordinate care with other team members to avoid crisis situations. The wide range of services and the multidisciplinary component of ACT professionals ensure that potential crises arebe identified and intervention applied before crisis level is reached.

Finally, this long-term careACT modelmeans that clients are blessed with a dependable supportive team (Mahoney, 2005). At the interviews with clients’ familymembers it was clarified that they s were already dependent on others who often could not or were unwilling to provide the appropriatesupport and care. The ACT model avoids adopting a crisis-intervention approach of treating mental health issues,instead it takes a crisis-avoidance perspective. While this model may be inadequate for some clients, it is effective in helping individuals managing serious mental disorders and  stillremain productive in their communities.