126 THE SEVERE AND PERSI STENT MENTAL ILLNESS PROGRESS NOTES PLAN NER C. The client has read the material on the grieving process, and content from that material was processed. D. The client was reinforced for showing an increased understanding of the steps of the grieving process as a result of reading the recommended grief material. E. The client has not followed through on read ing any of the grief material and was encouraged to do so. 14. Teach Grief Stages (14) A. The client was educated regarding the stages of the grieving process. B. The client verbalized an increased understanding of the steps of the grieving process and identified the stages that he/she has experienced personally, and this was processed. C. The client could not apply the grief stages to his/her own experience and was provided with additional support and feedback in this area. 15. Educate about Mental Il lness (15) A. The client was educated about the expected or common symptoms of his/her mental illness that may contribute to his/her grief and loss issues. B. As the client's symptoms of mental illness were discussed, he/she displayed an understanding of how these symptoms may affect his/her grief process. C. The client did not understand how symptoms of his/her mental illness may negatively impact his/her grief process and was given additional feedback in this area. 16. Apply Knowledge of Mental Illnes s to Symptoms (16) A. The client's specific symptoms were reviewed. B. The client's pattern of mental illness symptoms was reviewed relative to the impact that his/her symptoms have had on his/her pattern of personal losses. C. The client was provided w ith positive feedback as he/she displayed insight into his/her pattern of mental illness symptoms and his/her symptoms' impact on his/her losses. D. The client continued to struggle with his/her understanding of how his/her symptoms have contributed to gr ief and loss issues and was provided with additional feedback in this area. 17. Refer to a Support Group (17) A. The client was referred to a support group for individuals with severe and persistent mental illness. B. The client has attended the support group for individuals with severe and persistent mental illness, and the benefits of this support group were reviewed. C. The client reported that he/she has not experienced any positive benefit from the use of a support group but was encouraged to conti nue attending. D. The client has not used the support group for individuals with severe and persistent mental illness and was redirected to do so. 18. Teach about Defense Mechanisms (18) A. The client was taught about the common tendency for people to u se defense mechanisms. B. The client was provided with specific examples of the use of defense mechanisms regarding mental illness concerns (e. g., some people deny problems rather than face the reality of a chronic mental illness). 