Relief at mental help for brother
Advertisement
Text size: small | medium | large
Shontae Anderson
Published: July 17, 2008
After years of trying to seek help for my mentally ill brother, I was so relieved when I heard the news that effective July 1, the mental health system was changing to make it easier to get help for the mentally ill.
That happiness quickly diminished this weekend after trying to get help for my homeless mentally ill brother.
He has demonstrated to my family and me that he is becoming a threat to himself. We were finally able to get an Emergency Commitment Order from the magistrate.
My brother was picked up by Stafford County Sheriff’s department and taken to Mary Washington Hospital for evaluation, where a so-called evaluation counselor decided he was perfectly fine.
She notified my mother that she was releasing him back to the street without medication or treatment.
I write this to warn the public. I want you to please not be fooled or feel safer about the changes to Virginia’s mental health system.
It’s the same system; it’s just a little easier to have someone picked up for evaluation by a stranger who doesn’t listen to the family members of a sick person.
You would think that a counselor should take into consideration what family members have to say when making a decision to commit someone.
The system is still designed for another Virginia Tech situation to occur.
Thank you.
SHONTAE ANDERSON
Woodbridge
Page 1 of 1
Can't find what you're looking for? Try our quick search:
Reader Reactions
Posted by ( Sammy B ) on July 17, 2008 at 1:00 am
Ms. Anderson,
Having a psychology degree, I can tell you that one of the problems with the mental health system is that many counselors, psychologists and psychiatrists, pressed for time by heavy caseloads, fail to look past their direct interactions with clients to factors such as histories and family members’ observations. Persons with mental disorders present differently at different times and a single interview cannot make a complete picture. If possible, obtain a copy of your brother’s record or at least know what medications have been prescribed and how well they worked as well as age of onset and the time and length of all remissions and reoccurrences. Demand that the next mental health professional who examines him also look his history and listen to your observations. If he or she refuses, demand to see a supervisor and make as much noise as you have to. You have undoubtedly spent more time with your brother than any of them, so your knowledge is vital to his treatment.
More than anything, the mentally ill need people like you to support and fight for them. I truly admire your courage in the face of such cruel circumstances.
Report Inappropriate Comment