Agency Assignment - Hamilton McMaster 3G PDF

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Agency Assignment - McMaster 3G

Caitlin Doesburg Mohawk College Intro to CYC Practice - HMNS-CC142-03 Ms. Sonya Bramwell Friday, November 6, 2020

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As a previous patient at McMaster Hospital Unit 3G, located on 1200 Main Street West Hamilton, I was definitely interested in the agency due to my past positive experiences. Compassionate staff, educated programming, clean facilities and amazing doctors all make up this unit. The philosophy of the agency is, “Staff, patients and families do they best with the skills they have and yet we can all do better, learn and always grow.” McMaster is consistently able to support patients and their families, whether it is through the Ronald McDonald house which supports low-income families or intense and mind-boggling research by Canada’s best psychiatrists. This unit also recognizes fully that there are always new studies rising to the surface, new information to be learned and personal growth to be made. The Child and Youth Mental Health Program (CYMHP) cater to clientele up to the age of 18. Although there is no minimum age, the youngest youth in the program is usually around the age of 7 and the average being 14-17. There are 22 beds available in the 3G Unit facility where it is almost always full of all kinds of youth who are accepted no matter the race, religion, etc. There are eight programs/ facilities that McMaster provides for youth dealing with mental health issues. First is the Assessment Unit in emergency where a child’s mental health and history is evaluated. If this child is fit to go home safely after this assessment, they may attend Day Treatment (5 days a week, 9am to 4pm treatment at McMaster 3G). If a child is deemed in danger to themselves or others, they may be admitted to the Inpatient Unit. Whether it is an inpatient or outpatient admission, referrals must be in writing, supported by a recent psychiatric assessment and submitted directly to the Central Referral Office. During their stay, youth patients are supported by nurses, (roughly 40) CYC’s, psychiatrists, psychologists, occupational

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therapists, social workers, teachers and medical doctors until they are ready to go home. The unit itself has beautiful paintings on the walls, comfy couches, big open floors and a few comfy carpets. This unit is also locked, meaning it is very safe for those who cannot keep themselves safe. For example, certain items may not be allowed, like belts, razors, etc. Most patients spend 1 to 3 weeks inpatient. Once the discharge plan is made, there are programs to help a youth integrate back into society. The Bridging program assists patients to initially return to the community as well as the Follow Up Clinic which checks up on patients after discharge to see how they are holding up. There are also community education services for anyone to attend (fundraisers, events, guest speakers, etc). Additionally, there are many programs and groups run by 3G. Parent and Family groups truly help strengthen the bond between an adolescents and their families that could have been torn apart. I know myself that having healthy relationships with parents or guardians is extremely crucial to recovery. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) are two very important, well known and often used at McMaster. These forms of psychotherapy teach us how our own thoughts, behaviours and feelings influence one another. Recognizing these three things, we can better understand the relationship with ourselves and with others. Gender groups, anger management, addiction/eating disorder support groups and relapse prevention are all more specific groups that 3G include. Health and Wellness groups include art therapy, yoga, meditation and going for walks. As mentioned before, most programming runs from 9am until 4pm with minimal weekend groups. These weekend groups could include watching a motivating movie and writing a response while looking for the deeper meaning. Most of the time, child and youth care workers run these therapeutic and self soothing groups. Every once in a while, one of the psychiatrists or

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psychologists may come in and hold a group education session. Due to mental health having ever-evolving studies, sometimes programming does change, but not often. A schedule is very important in a youth’s life, especially when they are struggling. When a schedule keeps flipflopping, it can add to the stress of the situation in the first place.

One thing that has not

changed in 11 years is the head supervisor of 3G. Recently I spoke to him over the telephone regarding what he looks for in student CYC’s who are taking a co-op placement. Third year students are usually most likely to acquire a placement at 3G and must be able to perform and act as fully functioning staff. Student CYC’s should be able to effectively run groups, design programming, fill out documentation and observe youth successfully and safely. Yet, it is so much more than that. It is building relationships with the girl who never smiles and making her laugh over a silly drawing. It is helping the teenage boy who was sexually assaulted open up for the first time. It is laughs, tears, pain, sorrow and healing all in one. It is so much more than just documents and programming. It is real life. McMaster 3G has made a large impact on my life, teaching me that it is okay to cry. As a future CYC, I have a goal to work in this very unit one day. Working with youth and teenagers that are just like me, I am able to empathize, recognize and understand their pain. Eventually, I would like to be educated enough and certified to help with this pain and trauma. McMaster 3G is efficiently able to support youth, conduct educational and medical research as well as Child and youth care workers frankly are astounding human beings who wish for the world to be a better place.

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References:

Child & Youth Mental Health. (2020, August 10). Retrieved November 5, 2020, from https:// www.hamiltonhealthsciences.ca/mcmaster-childrens-hospital/areas-of-care/mental-health/

Inpatient 3G. (2013). Retrieved November 5, 2020, from http:// www.mcmasterchildrensmentalhealth.ca/body.php?mid=3&id=14&page_type=S&lang=EN

What does a Child and Youth Worker do? (2017). Retrieved November 5, 2020, from https:// neuvoo.ca/neuvooPedia/en/child-and-youth-worker/

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