Mentally ill boy held 2 weeks in emergency room

[n2doc]

By RUSSELL HIXSON, Skagit Valley Herald


SEDRO-WOOLLEY, Wash. (AP) — For two weeks, a 13-year-old boy diagnosed with serious mental health issues sat in an emergency room bed at United General Hospital. After countless daily phone calls to facilities across the state, the hospital wasn't sure what else to do other than keep the boy there and hope a placement opened.

An involuntary treatment hearing was held Thursday. With no one qualified to testify about the child's condition, a court commissioner ordered the boy be released without treatment.

"The mental health system has failed this young boy," said attorney Dennis Scott of Anacortes, who argued for the boy's release.

Testimony indicated the boy suffers from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. At the hearing, the boy's mother tearfully expressed her frustration to get her son help.
more
http://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Mentally-ill-boy-held-2-weeks-in-emergency-room-5484185.php

[etherealtruth]

1. There is no real "mental health care system" in the US

This is a tragedy

[Ed Suspicious]

2. Pediatric psychiatric help is in complete disrepair in this country. My suicidal daughter was given

charcoal solution in the ER then sent home when no beds were found to be available in mental health facilities within 100 miles. Then I go to find outpatient help only to find nobody in my network taking appointments and one outside of my network taking appointments with the first evaluative visit being charged at a rate of nearly 700 dollars out of pocket. I wound up finding treatment through our family's GP and being prescribed prozac and being scheduled for a few follow up visits. In the meantime we found her back in the ER after a second unsuccessful attempt at her own life. The same course of action. No beds. Go home and keep an eye on her.

Her doctor thought that maybe he suicidal thoughts would get worse before they got better while beginning the antidepressants. She seems to have come around and is doing better at this point, but that is no thanks to the complete lack of care offered from the overburdened pediatric psychiatric community in my area.

It sadly comes as little surprise to me that the kid in this story would go untreated. We simply do not have access to adequate pediatric health services in this country.

[etherealtruth]

4. I truly hate bringing this up, but need to point out ....

Once a mentally ill child or adolescent turns 18 .... you are basically removed from the "equation" and it is nearly impossible to seek treatment FOR your mentally ill child.

It is even more terrifying when a parent cannot really even advocate on behalf of a seriously mentally ill child.

I wish nothing but the best for you and your daughter

[Jefferson23]

3. Amurka. n/t

[Brigid]

5. In a civilized country . . .

Do I really need to continue?

[redqueen]

6. No, you don't.

K&R

[niyad]

7. sadly, no, you do not.