Post by Logan on Feb 12, 2016 17:08:53 GMT -6
We have a serious problem in our community.
People in desperate need of help in dealing with severe mental health problems are afraid to seek it out.
Barely a day goes by that there’s not a suicide threat or attempt listed on the police blotter that the reporters at the Capital Journal receive every morning.
In the past when someone in the community was deemed to be a threat to themselves or others, they were held under observation at Avera Saint Mary’s Hospital while hospital personnel arranged for care at an inpatient mental health care facility. That’s what is known as being placed on a mental hold and it often involves the police.
That process often would take a long time. Once the patient had a place to go, they’d be taken there by law enforcement officers. The patient may not have officially been under arrest, but they may have felt like it. Judging from some comments left on our Facebook page earlier this week, the process was terrifying to many patients.
Read more: www.capjournal.com/opinions/editorial/pierre-must-come-together-on-mental-health-issues/article_026fdb7e-d13f-11e5-be82-7b9e6da87008.html
People in desperate need of help in dealing with severe mental health problems are afraid to seek it out.
Barely a day goes by that there’s not a suicide threat or attempt listed on the police blotter that the reporters at the Capital Journal receive every morning.
In the past when someone in the community was deemed to be a threat to themselves or others, they were held under observation at Avera Saint Mary’s Hospital while hospital personnel arranged for care at an inpatient mental health care facility. That’s what is known as being placed on a mental hold and it often involves the police.
That process often would take a long time. Once the patient had a place to go, they’d be taken there by law enforcement officers. The patient may not have officially been under arrest, but they may have felt like it. Judging from some comments left on our Facebook page earlier this week, the process was terrifying to many patients.
Read more: www.capjournal.com/opinions/editorial/pierre-must-come-together-on-mental-health-issues/article_026fdb7e-d13f-11e5-be82-7b9e6da87008.html