A tragic but extremely pragmatic expose on just what a parent must do to ensure a mentally ill adult child receives treatment. I realize that this is Oregon but I'm quite sure that the story is similar in all states. It's heartbreaking. I hope there aren't any parents still out there who think that parenting ceases at age 18 or 21. It's just gearing up.
http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2011/03/portland_womans_struggle_with.html
Portland woman's struggle with son shows difficulty of getting long-term care for mentally ill
"JO arrived at Multnomah County [OR] Circuit Court anxious and tired from a restless night. "This is the worst day of my life," she said as she walked to a second-floor courtroom for a civil commitment hearing for her 32-year-old son who suffers from mental illness.
Around a table sat two mental health examiners and a judge, all waiting for the state's attorney and public defender. At least five witnesses, including Portland police, a psychiatrist and a county mental health investigator gathered in the hall. Olson stepped out to find her son's attorney.
"Officer (Mike) Stradley said he thinks this is a good thing" JO said, "but you know what, it's not his child...."
and
"....JO knows her son needs long-term medical attention. His psychotic outbursts have led to multiple calls to the crisis line, 9-1-1 calls, short stays at local hospitals. She's tried to keep him hospitalized when he's delusional and violent, only to be frustrated when he is released days later, no longer deemed a danger. So the cycle repeats, with mom calling the crisis line and often directed to 9-1-1 for help, putting the burden on police to serve as front-line mental health crisis workers.
JO's struggles are like those of so many families who have children with mental illness. They are forced to go to great lengths -- in this case even with the help and partnership of police -- to get a loved one long-term care. Then they face the ultimate Catch-22: To get help, a person with mental illness must do something criminal or harmful, the very kinds of dangerous acts families are trying to avoid in the first place...."
more at link
I can personally attest to this woman's story. It's a full time job to seek care for a mentally ill loved one. And you are on the front line every single minute of the day. Here in Oregon, there are just so few services.
http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2011/03/portland_womans_struggle_with.html
Portland woman's struggle with son shows difficulty of getting long-term care for mentally ill
"JO arrived at Multnomah County [OR] Circuit Court anxious and tired from a restless night. "This is the worst day of my life," she said as she walked to a second-floor courtroom for a civil commitment hearing for her 32-year-old son who suffers from mental illness.
Around a table sat two mental health examiners and a judge, all waiting for the state's attorney and public defender. At least five witnesses, including Portland police, a psychiatrist and a county mental health investigator gathered in the hall. Olson stepped out to find her son's attorney.
"Officer (Mike) Stradley said he thinks this is a good thing" JO said, "but you know what, it's not his child...."
and
"....JO knows her son needs long-term medical attention. His psychotic outbursts have led to multiple calls to the crisis line, 9-1-1 calls, short stays at local hospitals. She's tried to keep him hospitalized when he's delusional and violent, only to be frustrated when he is released days later, no longer deemed a danger. So the cycle repeats, with mom calling the crisis line and often directed to 9-1-1 for help, putting the burden on police to serve as front-line mental health crisis workers.
JO's struggles are like those of so many families who have children with mental illness. They are forced to go to great lengths -- in this case even with the help and partnership of police -- to get a loved one long-term care. Then they face the ultimate Catch-22: To get help, a person with mental illness must do something criminal or harmful, the very kinds of dangerous acts families are trying to avoid in the first place...."
more at link
I can personally attest to this woman's story. It's a full time job to seek care for a mentally ill loved one. And you are on the front line every single minute of the day. Here in Oregon, there are just so few services.