Final Assignment: Special Populations and Mental Health Interventions- black and brown youth and restorative justice
Assignment Overview: For your final paper, you are required to select a special population that we have discussed in class and explore the mental health needs of that population. This paper should be 6-10 pages in length, not including the title page and references. You will need to address the historical context, current policies, and obstacles that impact treatment for this population, with a critical eye toward how euro-centric approaches, culture, stigma, or other factors may influence mental health outcomes.
Learning Objectives:
- Learn to Identify culturally responsive evidence-based intervention strategies that promote child safety, permanence of family relationships, and child and family well-being.
- Learn advanced-level skills in translating and applying a developmentally sensitive, resiliency-focused, collaborative, multisystemic intervention perspective to work with diverse populations of children and youth, families, and communities.
- Familiarize themselves with skills for utilizing evidence-based prevention, intervention, and rehabilitation practice guidelines to develop micro, mezzo, and macro interventions that address child, youth, family, and community goals and priorities.
Paper Outline:
Introduction (0.5 – 1 page):
- Introduce the special population you have chosen. Provide a brief overview of the group’s history, including any significant events that have shaped their current mental health landscape. The population should be specific enough to illustrate the impact from dominant society.
- State the purpose of the paper and outline the key areas you will discuss.
Historical Context (1 – 1.5 pages):
- Explore the historical background of the population and how this history has influenced their current mental health needs.
- Discuss any historical trauma, oppression, or significant social policies that have impacted this population.
- How does the dominant society view this population? What are some of the patterns of behavior?
Current Policies and Obstacles (1.5 – 2 pages):
- Identify and discuss current policies that affect mental health treatment for the population.
- Analyze the obstacles that may hinder effective treatment, including euro-centric approaches to mental health, cultural factors, stigma, or other social determinants.
- Critically evaluate how these obstacles impact access to care and the quality of mental health services received by this population.
Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) Selection (1.5 – 2 pages):
- Select one evidence-based practice or intervention that is relevant and effective for the population you are discussing. Note: EBPs are not a “one-size-fits-all” but what approach may work with part of the population?
- Provide a detailed explanation of this EBP, supported by current literature, explaining why it is appropriate for this population.
- Include a review of the research evidence supporting the use of this intervention with the selected population.
Culturally Responsive Intervention Application (1.5 – 2 pages):
- Imagine you are working with a client from the chosen population. Create a projected intervention plan based on the EBP you have selected.
- Write a hypothetical session brief dialogue or outline the steps you would take in working with the client using the chosen intervention. (Document enough dialogue to demonstrate the intervention, you do not need to outline an entire session). The statement can include what a social work do or how they would utilize the culturally responsive intervention.
- Discuss how you would adapt the intervention to meet the cultural, social, and individual needs of the client.
Self-Reflection and Bias Exploration (1 – 1.5 pages):
- Reflect on your own experiences, beliefs, and potential biases that surfaced throughout the process of researching and writing this paper.
- Identify any preconceived notions or assumptions you may have had about the selected population and how you addressed them.
- Discuss how this self-reflection has influenced your understanding of the population and your approach to working with them in a social work context.
- Consider how ongoing self-awareness and reflection are essential for culturally competent and effective social work practice.
Future Recommendations (1 – 1.5 pages):
- Based on your research and analysis, propose future recommendations for improving mental health services and interventions for this population.
- Consider how policies, service delivery, or community-based initiatives might be enhanced to better serve the mental health needs of this group.
- Discuss any further research that may be needed to address gaps in the current understanding of mental health for this population.
Conclusion (0.5 – 1 page):
- Summarize the key points of your paper.
- Reflect on the importance of culturally responsive and evidence-based interventions in social work practice with special populations.
Formatting, Organization, and Submission Guidelines:
- The paper should be 6-10 pages in length, double-spaced, with 1-inch margins and a 12-point Times New Roman font.
- Include a title page and a reference page (not included in the page count).
- Use APA 7th edition formatting for citations and references. You will need a minimum of 6 scholarly sources (peer-reviewed).
Grading Criteria:
- Introduction & Thesis: The introduction and thesis (purpose of the paper) are clearly identified and accurately depict the direction of the paper.\
- Historical Context Use of Literature: Demonstrated understanding of the population’s history, and experience related to mental health.
- Policies & Obstacles: Identifies the policies and obstacles individuals/communities encounter when addressing mental health. Identifies systemic, community, and/or cultural barriers.
- Evidence-Based Practice & Literature Support: Effective use of current and relevant literature to support your discussion, particularly in justifying the selected EBP.
- Culturally Responsive Intervention: Consideration of cultural, social, and individual factors in the discussion and intervention planning.
- Self-Reflection and Bias Exploration: Insightful reflection on personal biases and how they were addressed in the course of the assignment.
- Future Recommendations and Conclusion: Providing recommendations for future work, research, planning, and conclusion offers thoughtful reflection.
- APA Formatting & Organization: Proper use of APA style for citations, references, and overall formatting. Clear and logical structure, with well-developed arguments and smooth transitions between sections.
Assignment Requirements:
- Length: 6-10 pages, excluding title page, references, and appendices
- Citations: APA 7 format is required for all in-text citations, and the reference page. 6 minimum sources required.
- Structure: Your paper should be organized using the following headings and subheadings (See below with suggested page lengths)