Substance Abuse &
Mental Health Assessment (SAMH)
Attached
TO: / George Williams, JPO / FAX #: / (386) 792-6432FROM: / Paula M. Weaver, LCSW / DATE: / 12/02/07
TOTAL PAGES: / 6 (Including cover)
A SAMH assessment has been completed and is attached for the following youth:
alexander nicholsAn original copy of this evaluation will be provided upon request. Please contact us at (352) 373-8189 if you need additional information or have any concerns regarding this assessment.
This facsimile contains CONFIDENTIAL information intended only for the use of the addressee(s) named above. If you are not the intended recipient of this facsimile or the agent of said recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination or copying of this information is strictly prohibited by law. If you have received this facsimile in error, please notify us immediately by telephone and destroy the information.
Thank you very much for this referral
and the opportunity to assess this youth.
SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH ASSESSMENT:
Summary of Findings and Recommendations
I. Client Information
Name: /aleander nicholds
/ DJJ ID#: /987589
Soc. Sec. No.: / Unknown / DOB / 07/18/95Gender: / Male / Age: / 12
Race: / Caucasian / Parent/Guardian: / Johnny Nichols, Father
Date of Evaluation: / 11/19/07 / Referring
Probation Officer: / George Williams
Present during Assessment:
Youth was interviewed at the Alachua Juvenile Detention Center located in Gainesville, FL. Alexander reported his parents were arrested on the same charges he was and they are in the Columbia County jail.
II. Reason for referral
Youth was referred for a substance abuse and mental health screening due to recent charges of Aggravated Battery and Kidnapping – Inflicting Bodily Harm or Terrorize Victim. During a preliminary substance abuse and mental health screening (M.A.Y.S.I.) youth was identified to be at risk in the following area/s:
AD – Alcohol/Drug Use / SI – Suicide IdeationAI – Angry-Irritable / TD – Thought Disturbance
DA – Depressed-Anxious / TE – Traumatic Experiences
SC – Somatic Complaints / X / Other: Request of JPO
With regard to the charges above, youth denied he kidnapped his older sister. He also denied that he tortured his sister by beating her. Youth stated he told the police initially that he helped his parents because he wanted to see what would happen and he thought since he was 12-years-old he would not be put in jail.
III. Clinical Impressions
During the interview, youth appeared in neat and appropriate clothing, with good hygiene and grooming. He displayed direct eye-contact and was on-task throughout the meeting. His speech was appropriate with regard to rate and content. He demonstrated appropriate motor behavior and maintained good posture throughout the meeting. His attitude and behavior was cooperative and respectful throughout the meeting. During the interview, youth displayed a normal affect, with primary feelings of happiness expressed throughout the interview.
During the evaluation, youth presented with intact thought patterns and tended to be lucid regarding his quality of thought. He denied having any hallucinations and/or delusions. Youth denied having any current suicidal/homicidal ideation and further denied a history of suicidal gestures.
Youth presented as being of average intelligence, with fair memory capabilities. Youth was observed to have poor insight concerning his behavior and problems, and tended to have some motivation towards change and achieving personal goals. With regard to his current behavior and problems, youth’s overall judgment was noted to be poor, with poor decision-making and problem-solving skills. His answers to questioning seemed consistent with case records and information obtained from his parent, with his responses assessed as being valid, overall.
IV. PSYCHOSOCIAL INFORMATION & Areas of Concern Identified
Mental Health/Psychiatric:
§ Alexander denied ever participating in mental health counseling.
§ Youth denied any knowledge of a family history of mental illness.
Substance Abuse:
§ Alexander denied he has ever experimented with drugs because “I know it is wrong”.
§ Youth admitted he has experimented with alcohol a few times since he was 8-years-old. He denied becoming intoxicated and/or having blackouts.
§ Alexander denied any family history of alcohol and/or substance abuse.
Medical:
§ Youth stated that he enjoys good health.
Legal/Criminal (youth and family):
§ Alexander denied committing any previous crimes.
§ Youth reported his father has been arrested in the past for unknown charges and his parents are currently in the Columbia County jail for the same charges as youth.
Academic:
§ Youth reported he is currently in the 6th grade and is home schooled.
§ Alexander reported that he has always been home schooled because his father believed it was too dangerous at the public schools.
Family:
§ Youth reported that he currently resides with his mother, father, 27-year-old sister Christina and her two sons (7 and 9-years-old), 24-year-old sister Jessie, 10-year-old sister Brandi and 7-year-old sister Samantha.
§ Alexander shared that he has always lived with his parents.
§ Youth stated he gets along well with everyone in the home.
§ Youth stated that Christina and Jessie are his mother’s children from a previous marriage and were allowed to attend public schools. However, all of the other children were home schooled.
§ Alexander reported that Christina became a victim within the home a couple of years ago. He stated his mother, father and Jessie would abuse Christina. Youth stated “it was always in another room”. Alexander reported it was physical abuse but not sexual abuse.
Social/ Interpersonal:
§ Alexander explained that he is close to his siblings but he doesn’t really interact with other children.
§ Youth stated he is seen as a leader because he is the oldest male in the family besides his father.
Personal Strengths/Resiliency’s:
§ Youth was unable to identify any personal strengths.
V. Relevant Findings
Alexander reported he doesn’t understand why he and his parents were charged with kidnapping. He stated “we asked Christina several times if she wanted to leave and she said ‘no’”. When it was pointed out to him that he told this interviewer that he was not involved in abusing Christina or holding her against her will, yet he said “we asked her several times if she wanted to leave”, he became very agitated and said “I always say we”. He then stated “I meant they did, she could have left whenever she wanted to”.
Youth then went on to describe how he loved all of his siblings and explained that he slept in the same bed with his two younger sisters. He quickly clarified that they each had their own bed but stated they wanted to sleep with him and that there was nothing wrong with “putting your body against each other”. It should be noted that Alexander is 12-years-old and his two sisters are 10-years-old and 7-years-old.
VI. DIAGNOSTIC IMPRESSIONS
AXIS I 799.9 Deferred
AXIS II 799.9 Deferred
AXIS III None
AXIS IV Parents currently incarcerated; separated from
siblings; involvement w/legal system
AXIS V GAF=51 Current
VII. SUMMARY AND SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS
Alexander is a 12-year-old Caucasian male who presented as euphoric. He failed to accept responsibility for his behavior. Youth failed to demonstrate any remorse for his actions or empathy for his victim. Alexander was unable to provide any insight into his behavior and did not express an interest in changing.
Youth appeared to find his situation somewhat humorous. He denied participating in the physical abuse of his older sister Christina but admitted his parents have been doing so for a couple of years. Alexander did not appear to be particularly concerned about the abuse nor did he have any explanations for this behavior. It seemed Alexander thought this behavior to be appropriate and acceptable. This would seem to be consistent with the years of isolation he has had from society in general as he has been home schooled and not allowed to interact with other children. Additionally, he pointed out that Christina, the victim, could have left at any time. Alexander stated “we asked her several times if she wanted to leave” indicating he was part of the family abuse team. However, when directly confronted with this issue, he denied any direct participation.
Alexander admitted he originally told the police he had participated in the abuse of Christina. However, he later stated that was “just to see what they would do”. He reported he did not think they would put him in jail since he was only 12-years-old. Again, Alexander seemed to derive pleasure from playing games with the authority figures in this case.
Based on the information contained in this report, it is recommended that Alexander participate in a full psychological evaluation to determine appropriate treatment recommendations.
As a result of these findings, it is recommended that youth receive the following mental health and/or substance abuse services:Individual Counseling / X / Full Psychological Evaluation
Family Counseling – Home-Based / Psychiatric Services/ Medication
Anger Management Group / School Testing & Assessment
Substance Abuse Group / Academic Tutoring
Residential Treatment / Medical Services
Random Drug Screenings / No Services Recommended at this time
Other:
Thank you very much for this referral and the opportunity to assess this youth.
Paula M. Weaver, LCSWLicensed Clinical Social Worker
Supervisor, SAMH Program / /
Date
CONFIDENTIALITY STATEMENT
This report is Protected Health Information (PHI), confidential and/or privileged material/information. You are hereby notified that any dissemination, re-release, re-disclosure or copying of this information is strictly prohibited by law. Any review, transmission, dissemination, or other use of, and any action taken in reliance upon this information by persons or entities other than the Village Counseling Center Staff and/or the intended parties/agencies is strictly prohibited. This information is protected by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and other Federal and Florida laws. Improper or unauthorized use or disclosure of this information could result in civil and/or criminal penalties.
Confidential Report for ALEXANDER NICHOLS Page 3
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4001 Newberry Road, Suite E- II • Gainesville, FL 32607 • Phone (352) 373 - 8189 • Fax (352) 373 - 8190