SECTION 1TITLE 1.2 IMPACT OF ENVIRONMENTAL STRESSORS ON THERAPEUTIC CARE AND SUBJECT WELL-BEING

 THERAPIST GYKAYLA CURTIS BETRAYAL

 WALLS OF SILENCE

SECTION 1TITLE 1.2 IMPACT OF ENVIRONMENTAL STRESSORS ON THERAPEUTIC CARE AND SUBJECT WELL-BEING

 

 

Subject: Breach of Implied Covenant of Habitability, Hostile Living Conditions & Gender-Based

Discrimination

To whom it may concern

This letter serves to inform the correspondent(s) of the significant impact that the subjects current living environment is having on their mental health and recovery process. I am requesting that the correspondent(s)  consider these environmental stressors as outlined under Axis IV of the DSM-5, which focuses on the external factors that impact a person’s mental health.

The subject has been diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), a serious condition that is strongly exacerbated by their current living situation. According to the DSM-5, Axis IV is used to assess psychosocial and environmental stressors that contribute to a person’s condition (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). In this case, the following stressors are of particular concern:

1.      Harassment and Threats to Safety: subject has reported ongoing harassment from their landlord, including coercive, non-consensual behavior. These conditions lead to a heightened state of anxiety and fear, making it difficult for them to manage their PTSD symptoms. These environmental stressors are consistent with findings in research that show how an unsafe and threatening living environment can exacerbate trauma responses (Felitti et al., 1998; National Child Traumatic Stress Network, 2018).

2.      Unsanitary and Unsafe Living Conditions: the subject has experienced infestations and poor living conditions that contribute to stress and anxiety. The environmental factors involved here are directly tied to the worsening of mental health conditions and can delay recovery (Baumeister et al., 2013). Furthermore, inadequate housing is recognized as a barrier to mental health recovery in various clinical guidelines (APA, 2013).

3.      Social Isolation and Limited Support: The current living environment isolates the from potential social supports, a key factor that could otherwise help mitigate their PTSD. The lack of community and supportive relationships further hinders their progress, as research supports the critical role that social connections play in managing mental health (Cohen & Wills, 1985).

Given these environmental factors, it is my opinion that relocating the subject to a safer and more supportive living environment is not only crucial but necessary for their mental health recovery. The current conditions present an ongoing barrier to their treatment, and a change in living circumstances would provide the stability needed to make meaningful progress in managing their PTSD.

This request aligns with the recommendations in the Housing and Health Guidelines published by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD, 2021), which states that environmental and psychosocial stressors must be addressed in treatment plans for mental health conditions. Further, mental health professionals are encouraged to work in tandem with the legal system to support individuals in securing environments conducive to their recovery (U.S. Department of Justice, 2016).

I respectfully request that this letter be submitted as evidence in the case for relocation. Please feel free to contact me directly should you need additional information or clarification.

Thank you for considering the essential role of environmental factors in mental health care.

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References:

• American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: DSM-5 (5th ed.). Washington, D.C.: American Psychiatric Association.
• Baumeister, R. F., & Leary, M. R. (2013). The need to belong: Desire for interpersonal attachments as a fundamental human motivation. Psychological Bulletin, 117(3), 497–529.
• Cohen, S., & Wills, T. A. (1985). Stress, social support, and the buffering hypothesis. Psychological Bulletin, 98(2), 310-357.
• Felitti, V. J., Anda, R. F., Nordenberg, D., et al. (1998). Relationship of childhood abuse and household dysfunction to many of the leading causes of death in adults. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 14(4), 245-258.
• National Child Traumatic Stress Network. (2018). Trauma and its effects on the body. NCTSN.
• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). (2021). Housing and Health Guidelines. HUD.gov.
• U.S. Department of Justice. (2016). Mental health and criminal justice: A guide for lawyers and judges. justice.gov.