Nervous about male client with Schizophrenia. SEEKING INFORMATION/EXPERIENCE OF CONDITION

@Aniela

I am sure your organisation will do an assessment on him before you take up the case. If needed, you can opt to go with another staff citing WHS reason. Otherwise, if you still aren't feeling too comfortable, you might as well swap it, or you might end up with EAP. It's a good idea to discuss your concern with your supervisor, I am sure they will be helpful.

If you remember Martin Bryant, the perpetrator that resulted in the estaablishment of Alannah and Madeline Foundation, he tampered with a lady's steering wheel while she was driving, resulting in a car crash where he survived but the lady died. He has intellectual disability.

In an emergency event, having 2 staffs mean one can restrain the client, while the other can focus on driving the group to safety.

Hi @Aniela

Let us know how you go and what you choose to do. I am interested to know what you learn from the experience.

Hi @Aniela,

It looks like you are receiving lots of support on this thread. You mentioned that you are open to learning and hearing from those with lived experience of schizophrenia, family members and those with resources. It's great you are open to learning and challenging stereotypes that so many people living with schizophrenia continue face- curiosity and openness to challenging our own biases is really important. We hope that this discussion has helped to give you some ideas of how you can support the client you might be caring for in future and challenge some of the concerns you originally raised.

This discussion has had lots of support from the community, and lots of people here contributing stories, experience and resources. So far this conversation has stayed within guidelines, and a big well done to everyone here for sharing resources and experiences safely. I'm just going to re-post the community guidelines here for anyone who might be reading along or posting to this discussion.

@Aniela SANE also has lots of resources about living with schizophrenia that you might find helpful too. Here is a page with stories, fact sheets and information 🙂

Ah right. Thanks for clarifying. I'll let the experts continue.

@Aniela thats ok, it makes me very sad that people are still scared of people with this condition and that there is still so much stigma around it the media does not help as it often portrays people with schizophrenia as violent when actually people with schizophrenia are more likely to be victims of violence than the perpetrators. it is good to be honestly seeking to educate yourself.

Its unlikely that they will try hurt the both of you. Its more than likely hes as scared as you are driving thinking you might hurt him. Show him you can be trusted and drive safely

Hi @Aniela for more information about schizophrenia check out the 'special events box' There is a talk that occurred on topic Tuesday on this subject. Sorry but I don't know how to bring up this link. Maybe @Daisydreamer will be able to get the link for you.

Thanks for flagging @Former-Member, @Aniela here is the link to the recent Topic Tuesday for Schizophrenia Awareness Week Topic Tuesday // Let's talk about Schizophrenia // Tues 25th May, 7:00-8:30PM AEST