HCHY List: Assets and Mental Health?

[melissa frawley]

As a mental health counselor in a school-based family support center, I use=
 the assets right from the start of working with and counseling young peopl=
e.
As part of my first session "get to know you" activities, I have the youth =
client complete the assets checklist after giving them a brief introducatio=
n to developmental assets. In our 2nd session, we discuss what the developm=
ental assets are more in depth (if they don't already know, but some do bec=
ause the model is actively integrated throughout our school district), and =
review their checklist together.  It is a great & simple way to generate a =
comfortable discussion & to learn a lot about the young person. It leads in=
to all kinds of discussions, and really helps to identify "troubled" areas =
or areas of concern in their life (ie. family relationships, low self estee=
m, at-risk behaviors, etc.)
Since they are receiving the counseling through our school-based family sup=
port center, I review all the assets, but focus alittle more on school-rela=
ted ones.  I help the student to identify adults in the school whom they fe=
el they do or can receive support from.  And when discussing assets they id=
entified as "false" - our discussion helps them get a better understanding =
of why they feel they don't have the asset & how they can build that asset.=
  Sometimes it changes their answer from false to true because they didn't =
think of something in a different way (like that they do have non-parent ad=
ults in their lives that they receive support from - such as teachers or a =
friend's parent that they feel comfortable talking to).
I'll go back to the assets checklist sometimes throughout our time together=
 as it may apply.  =

We can also look back to the checklist during wrap up and see if the young =
person feels they have built on any particular assets, or how they may be a=
ble to.
In general though, it helps youth clients to identify strengths and esp. ar=
eas or relationships of concern - and to do so through a comfortable avenue=
 of discussion.
 =

-Melissa Frawley
Coordinator Family Assistance Center of Tonawanda =

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Date: Mon, 12 May 2008 16:13:45 -0500From: nancyt at search-institute.orgSubje=
ct: HCHY List: Assets and Mental Health?CC: hchylist at lists.search-institute=
.orgTo: melissafrawley244 at hotmail.comGreetings, asset builders -I have rece=
ived a number of calls this month asking how people are using the Developme=
ntal Assets in Mental Health settings. I have a few stories I've gathered o=
ver the years, but need to revisit this topic.  If you are a mental health =
provider making use of the asset framework in your practice, or you know of=
 someone who is, I would like to learn more. How does a strength-based appr=
oach contribute to your work? How, if at all, has it changed your interacti=
ons with clients? What impact do you see in clients' lives? What impact has=
 it had on how you think about your work? Thanks in advance for sharing you=
r on-the-ground wisdom. Feel free to write to the listserv, or to contact m=
e directly. I'll summarize what I learn for the listserv.Nancy Tellett-Royc=
eSenior ConsultantSearch Institute615 First Ave NEMinneapolis, MN 55413800-=
888-7828 ext 227
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