What should happen after staying at hospital due to mental health issues?

Question

A friend of mine had to stay in a hospital for a couple if months due to multiple suicide attempts. He got out roughly a year ago when he was either 16 or 17, but afterwards he didn’t receive much support from any mental health services. A year later, he’s struggling more than ever and is too afraid to get help, and I can’t help but think that he has been let down. I feel like after getting out of hospital, the doctors / mental health professionals / whoever it is, should make an effort to keep helping their patients afterwards. But I feel like a lot of people would see this as a waste of time because those getting out of hospital may not be in as much need as those who are still in hospital, and they should focus on those people. 
What do you guys think?

Answer

Absolutely people need support after being released; once discharged, that is the point where intensive outpatient services should be offered and encouraged. Some states, programs require appointments within a week of discharge, but that doesn’t really mean they get the treatment they need. 
Mental health services should be affordable, readily available and accessible for people, especially those just being released. It’s very tough going from an inpatient setting to outpatient.

Answer

For mental health, if Baker acted and deemed  neccessary.... maybe a similar system  as having a Parole officer? Obviously  you're  not a criminal, but someone who u check into every once in a while, they check up  with you. They know where you live and can do house check ins, and work also.

Answer

There should be a support system put in place where you have to check in with a therapist every 6 or so weeks for a year. If you’re hospitalised for mental health then you clearly are lacking support and resources that help you so you need something put in place

Answer

my oldest niece was struggling with some mental health issues, took her to ER as that’s the only way she could get admitted in my county. they kept her overnight, and she went to a different facility, however it was voluntary and she only stayed for a day. when she left, she was given a packet of information to take with her filled with therapists that are covered under her insurance, and she was covered under state insurance since she wasn’t working at the time. 
if I hadn’t intervened, she would not have made the appointments or followed up. I set her up with a therapist and took her to all of her appointments and made sure that she was taking steps to help herself. 
I do think mental health is neglected here, and more should be done for those that are suffering and don’t know how to cope with it.

Answer

I would hope there would be more support but that would require a lot of resources. The hospital cant just call up on and stay on top of all their patients after they leave. Its the family’s responsibility to step in and talk w their caseworker about plans , then keep the patient accountable to them. If no family then perhaps a social worker- however if they are an adult and didnt do a crime , can you require that? Probably not..

Answer

I’ve been 6 times and never got any help afterwards. To top it off, you can tell that the psychiatrist and the vast majority of the staff on the adult unit in the hospital I go to don’t give a fuck about you. Like you could kill yourself in the parking lot after being discharged and they wouldn’t care is the feeling I get from them. I think there needs to be a good care plan for after you leave the hospital and more caring staff in the hospital.

Answer

One or 2 scheduled psychiatrist a week, or even a month at minimum should at least be an available option. Idk about mandating something like that, as I feel people do have the right to die on their own terms (as sad as that is). But I feel like mandating something like that (although it’s for the better) could possibly be an infringement on (what I feel) is someone’s body autonomy

Answer

Guessing you are in the US? It’s awful, all funding has been cut. Mental hospitals are obsolete. More homeless people than ever in our city that all need help. 
I hope your friend is working with a therapist they trust and can confide in. It’s tough finding mental health professionals too and many insurance companies limit what they cover (state assistance insurance /Masshealth where I am, isn’t accepted by many practices)

Answer

In 2015 I was hospitalized for two months for the same thing. After I was released, I went into a partial hospital program (4 hours/day for 5x week for another 2 months). After this, I was required to check in with the program director 2x weekly until i was assigned a therapist in their outpatient program. I had weekly therapy appointments and biweekly psychiatrist appointments. Because my original suicide attempt was likely due to my antidepressants, they wanted to make sure I was tightly monitored to spot any side effects with the new medication i was prescribed, so another attempt like it could be avoided. After the doctor determined I was stable on the medication, i went for monthly appointments, then after a year it was quarterly appointments (every three months). I felt well supported but I spent literally my life savings out of pocket on this care, which I wouldn't expect anyone else to do. 
I don't feel like you should have to spend all your money on mental healthcare. My insurance stopped covering my care before my stay was over but my parents didnt feel comfortable with me coming home in the state i was in, so I stayed until I was better. 
Hope your friend has insurance and is able to find outpatient care at least. Its a long journey to wellness but I hope he.gets better soon

Answer

Unfortunately the system is broken in that regard.

What should happen after staying at hospital due to mental health issues?

Let's Glow!

The Top Baby Tracker App: Embrace New Beginnings with Tender Care

The Top Fertility Tracker App: Your Path to Achieving Pregnancy

The Top Pregnancy App: Nurturing Your Journey to Motherhood

The Top Period Tracker for Empowering Your Menstrual Health Journey