Involuntary rehabilitation

[Cordogs]

Does anyone know the process of institutionalising someone with severe mental health issues in Queensland? I've heard a lot of idea's but no real truths on the matter, as far as I'm aware all one can do is take them to a local Department of Emergency where the person in question will be held for a few days, medicated and released.

So in this day and age can you take someone, get them assessed and institutionalised. Where they'll be looked after, medicated and hopefully rehabilitated to live a normal or close to normal life?

 

[Rodney68]

In Tassie its the same as Vic i had a similar thing happen to someone i know as above but i dont know if its the same in Qld.

 

[GooseMan]

there are places in SA and I would also assume in QLD that will assess the person and put them in a rehab hospital or something if need be.

 

[foolsp33d]

Down here in Vic. there is two types of administration. Voluntary and involuntary. Differences are obviously one is having the person administrate themselves on their own will.. the other, administration via an outside source, police, Psych, CAT team etc.

If its a voluntary admin. the person generally has free will to check themselfs out when they want.. Invol. will require psych reports etc to be completed and often followed up by daily in house checks with the CAT team. sometimes twice a day.

I'll go into some detail about MY personal experience..
My ex had mental health issues prior to us getting together. Over the time we were together, these slowly became more and more obvious. It wasnt untill we miscarried that the issues re-surfaced and things started to get to difficult for me to handle on my own. I was informed by her mother to call the CAT team(Crisis Assessment ) and within the hour had them at the front door.. these are not people carrying straight jackets dressed all in white.. .. these are casual dressed down to earth people.. they know about medication, body language, signs of desperation, they know what to look for and what questions need to be asked.

Anyway.. after the initial interview, they explained both to the mother and myself that it would be their recommendation that the missus be taken into the MHW. (mental health ward) Her stay here was estimated to be between 10-14 days.. for two months every day I was in and out the hospital, signing her in and out under my care so we could do simple things like see movies, go to the park for lunch, shopping etc. mornings were started at 9am and she had to be back by 7pm at the latest.. Not all patients have this privilege. depending on the situation, some are granted it, others are not.

I saw ALOT of people in some VERY 'messed up' states walking through those doors each day. I experienced first hand what the effects were of the ward.. from people lying to each other and to nurses to manipulation for their own self satisfaction, playing on each others illness as if it was a game. Grown women and men brought to tears crying in corridors due to other patients tormenting them, threats, thefts, and jealousy.

My missus was strong.. this being her second time administrated, she knew the ins and outs. To cut a long story a little shorter, after 3 internal psych reviews she was discharged.. we had the CAT's come in for in house assessments twice daily for a two months, then for a fortnight on a daily basis. They made an appointment for an out sourced psych to assess her, who gave the evaluation she was ok to 'fit back into the community' without the visits from the CATS.
Things were never quiet the same thou. The missus was quiet, VERY self enclosed and wary of people, groups of people, would spend countless hours in bed or not wanting to leave the house.

We ended up moving away, spending about 3 months 'roughing it' living in a tent and out of the car on the beach. Moved back to Melbourne and after about a month she one day administrated herself into the local hospitals MHW. here she spent a week.. then discharged herself.. I saw her twice after that.. not out of lack of trying, but by her own choice. She finally contacted me and told me she had moved into a Hostel in the city for about a week I was in and out nightly having dinner etc with her , and then... well I dont know..
No longer at the Hostel, Not answering my calls or messages.. I searched high and low.. tried all sorts of ways of finding out if she was ok.. It wasnt untill a call from her father one day with him telling me he had heard from her and she was on the peninsular.. apparently with a new guy..
I called and managed to get ahold of her.. discussing what had happened and if she was ok, but getting no clear answers..
6 months later, I was contacted by her mother.. the missus was pregnant to the new bloke.. no hard feelings, life goes on, and I give my best wishes..
the baby was born, a little girl.. Not 3 months later.. she took her own life.. I received a message on the same day on facebook simply saying "Im sorry I done wrong by you"
Was that a cry for help? Was it a final goodbye!? Was it something I had done, or had I not done enough to begin with!? Questions I will never know the answer to..

I spoze in wrapping this up.. my suggestion is to get ahold of your local CATS.. call a MHW and they will be able to put you onto the appropriate sources. Vol. Admin is not the way to go about it.. If there is a problem its not upto the individual to decide its over or to evaluate their own mental state.. it requires appropriate assessment and an understanding that the issue is under control.

Wishing you the best of luck, there is some good threads on here regarding this. Read up. Take the appropriate measures. Do what you can, but DONT expect things to just change. Be there for the person, the road you are about to walk down is long.. its rough and you WILL need help along the way. Feel free to PM me anytime and NEVER be afraid to discuss it.

Sp33d.

 

[Cordogs]

Thanks Speed, Fortunately enough it's not my missus mate but an old family friend, am currently searching more avenues atm. I did scroll thru the mental health thread and rang a few people, they all pointed to what I wrote in my previous comment, I know of a mental health hospital in the Gold Coast not far from where I used to live, I'm not sure if its still open but worth a shot. I completely agree with the involuntary part this person in question has now real grasp on reality and can't make sound decisions let alone self Medicate.

I'll keep an update on this and let you all know how I go,

 

[Cordogs]

Ok latest update is I've been asked by one of the family members to stop interfering with matters, apparently they can't move on if I keep interfering? Not sure what I should do now? Maybe this is just one of those things that you just have to let go of huh?

Maybe one of the Mods might want to put some of these comments in with the mental health thread, a more appropriate home for them.

 

[rotn50]

In other words you have done your utmost and your help is not needed. Was worth a try Corey, good on you for caring enough to have a go mate.

 

[Cordogs]

Thanks buddy appreciate it.

 

[Rodney68]

Thats it Mick, Corey you tryed your best to help mate thats all you can do.

 

[foolsp33d]

In other words you have done your utmost and your help is not needed. Was worth a try Corey, good on you for caring enough to have a go mate.

total respect to ya mate. Ya cant do any more than try.. when the immediate family steps in.. you have to take a step back.. just be there for them.. its all you can do bro.