Client reactions

The mother was treated for schizophrenia ten years ago but was not being treated by a psychiatrist at the time I saw her. She said, “I am cured.” The words hung over my head. I had many clients who said that in the mental health department. They did not take medicine, against medical advice, showed worse symptoms, and caused neighborhood trouble. I often took such clients to the psychiatric hospital (No. 14)

Client condition or situation

Somebody with mental illness who moved from a rural region and was unfamiliar with the area. The person was isolated and rock-faced, lacked confidence in himself, and did not issue SOS signals by himself. My first impression of the mother was similar to that for this person because she was also rock-faced and lacked confidence in childrearing. If I told her to consult me anytime, she would not consult herself. So, I tried approaching her without waiting for contact from her. This support was similar to mental health PSS (No. 13)

Methods of support by PHNs

The mother caused problems, like not picking her child from nursery school or slapped the child. The nursery school discussed whether they would give notice of child abuse to the child guidance center. They decided not to give notice. In the mental health department, I regretted not giving a warning against a violent client. This resulted in serious injury to a family member. If I did warn against the client, maybe the family member would not be seriously injured. Therefore, I negotiated with the nursery school to give a notice of child abuse so that the mother could learn what she should not do (No. 10)