I recently had to use our medical system for a mental health crisis for a friend and I have some important feedback.
People who are reaching out for help in a mental health crisis deserve to be treated and cared for in a way that pays respect to what they are going through and how they are feeling. This is so important and I thank everyone for sharing their thoughts and ideas in the comments.
Please watch this video and join the conversation on Facebook.
This change has to come from somewhere. Let’s share this story and strive for change.
Thank you.
I know of a young woman who lost her children in a serious court battle. Two weeks later she was suicidal and went to Civic. The triage staff were understanding. The Urgent Care Mental Health Nurse was overwhelming kind, understanding, and sympathetic. Announcements and delays were given with apologies and compassion.
The emergency doctor on call responded to her crisis situation by saying, “perhaps it was for the best”. The woman did not have a chance to say that this move will reunite her youngest child with this child’s convicted molester. The woman left the hospital immediately for her home. She was in crisis again two days later and refused to go to back to the hospital.
By the way, had there been more in the interview room besides chairs and a telephone (you forgot the kleenex), this young woman may have hurled something at anyone who acted like that arrogant doctor.
There is a reason for the decorative austerity. But a comfortable couch that can be easily sanitized and too heavy to lift, and enhanced with really, really soft throw cushions may be a good idea.
The next step in the current process is a private room with only a guerney. Equally austere.
Our heath care system, our legal system. and our child protection system all need a serious overhaul. Sadly I do not see our “fiscally responsible” Conservative government helping with this. (You do feel the dripping sarcasm in this last sentence?)
I have been to the Emg. with a loved one on many occasions and have sat on those horrible seats and in the tiny room with phone on the floor and sat for hrs. at a time. Yes, Dr.’s are “emotionless”, unconnected and at times rude. We have had appts. with Dr.’s in Mental Health O P clinic and the Dr.’s make my loved one feel worthless and not cared about. My loved one attempted hanging and almost succeeded if not for the rope didn’t hold. Cut their head open and apt. landlord called 911 & had this person sent to Emg. Emg. stitched up cut head and sent this person home in a cab a couple hrs. after. No support and help with their mental state. How does that happen? How can a person that just tried to hang themselves be sent home alone in cab? And this person has “history” record in the hospital of mental issues. Why? Why can this happen?