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Mental Health Case Studies

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Mental Health Case Studies

Mental health can change over time, and a case study cannot diagnose someone. Use evidence from each scenario, respond with empathy, and consider safe ways to seek support. If someone may be in immediate danger, tell a trusted adult or contact emergency services on 000.

Case study 1: Under pressure

Chloe is playing in a weekend netball tournament. Over the past few weeks, she has worried constantly about making mistakes and letting her team down. Before matches her heart races, she feels sick, and she has started avoiding team conversations. She is sleeping poorly and feels tense even on days without a game.

1.Which interpretation is most responsible? Choose one.

Chloe definitely has an anxiety disorder.
The pattern may be anxiety or stress, but only a qualified professional can assess her.
She is simply not trying hard enough.
Feeling nervous before a match always means someone has a mental illness.

2.Identify two details from Chloe’s case that suggest her distress is affecting more than match-day nerves.

3.Write one supportive sentence Chloe could hear from a teammate. It should avoid judgement and avoid promising to fix everything.

Case study 2: Losing interest

Cooper used to enjoy netball training and catching up with friends. For about six weeks, he has stopped looking forward to both. He often feels exhausted, has difficulty concentrating on schoolwork, and has been eating less than usual. He has told Tahnee, “I feel useless,” and has been keeping to himself.

4.Why should Tahnee take Cooper’s changes seriously rather than dismiss them as a bad day?

5.Tahnee wants to help Cooper. Which response is the best first step?

Tell him to toughen up because everyone feels low sometimes.
Listen without judgement, thank him for telling her, and encourage him to speak with a trusted adult or health professional.
Promise to keep everything secret no matter what he says.
Diagnose him based on the symptoms in this case.

6.True or false: A friend can be supportive, but should not take sole responsibility for another person’s mental health.

TrueFalse

Support and safe choices

Young people in Australia can talk to a trusted adult, such as a parent or carer, school wellbeing staff member, coach, GP or another safe adult. Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800) offers support for young people. Lifeline (13 11 14) is available for crisis support. For immediate danger, call 000.

7.Name two different support options from the information above that Cooper could use.

8.A teammate says, “I’m worried Cooper might hurt himself, but he asked me not to tell anyone.” What is the safest response?

9.Choose two barriers that might make a teenager hesitate to ask for help.