Strengths in mental health

Question 1

What are strengths?

Answer 1

= a quality or an ability that a person has that gives them an advantage

• determined, creative, honest, hard working, polite, funny

Question 2

what are the aims of a strengths based assessment?

Answer 2

• bringing to the surface emotional and behavioural skills, competencies and characteristics that create a sense of personal accomplishment, contribute to satisfying relationships with peers and family members, enhance ones ability to deal with adversity and stress and promote one’s personal social and intellectual development

Question 3

How do we surface peoples strengths?

Answer 3

• Role is to draw peoples attentions to their abilities and strengths that are often unnoticed
• once strength is identified - get person to explain in some detail what the benefits they derive from it
  
  • what do you like most about
  • what keeps you motivated to
  • what do you notice afterward?

Question 4

goals of the strengths assessment?

Answer 4

• establish rapport
• collect only sufficient and necessary information
• Develop an understanding of the persons perspective
• formulate plan in collaboration
• aim to address individual needs