Help is a Phone Call Away…or is it?

When dealing with mental illness crisis, it is a comfort to know that help is a phone call away…or is it? Are they responsive to the help you need? I know the frustration of utilizing various help lines including 911 only to be disappointed with the help they have to offer. Is my expectation too high or are their resources too limited? Perhaps it is a bit of both. Are they still invaluable resources? Yes. They each serve a purpose, provide assistance and can save lives.

Let’s backtrack a minute. Let me give you a recent example. I have a 17 year old son who has bipolar disorder and is medicated and monitored regularly by a psychiatrist. Against all odds, his disorder reared its ugly head temporarily overtaking parts of his body or at the least his mind. In short, he was inconsolable, unpredictable and increasingly aggressive. First attempt at hospitalization was denied-not bad enough, second attempt, call 911- a home visit by the police but ultimately not their problem (a referral was made to the IMPACT team who evidently do not work on statutory holidays). Third attempt, four days later, a phone call to a help line that wasn’t helpful at all.   I ended up taking matters into my own hands, and hospitalization followed.  I know myself and my child and what was needed at that time. Sometimes we need to follow our gut and not take no for an answer. It can be really hard to keep your cool when you feel frantic and your child certainly is. It is important to stay composed in order to take charge, take action and be your child’s best advocate. When at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.

So what happened next? My son was admitted to the General Hospital and 12 hours later transferred to the Child and Adolescent Inpatient Program (CAIP) a children’s psych ward.