Drug-free Mental Health inpatient treatment?

[turil.livejournal.com]

I just called the Cambridge Health Alliance Mental Health emergency services and wanted to check myself in. Before I went in, I wanted to be assured that they wouldn't drug me without my consent. The woman said that she could not "arbitrarily" assure me of that, got angry with me, and actually hung up on me while I was crying. (Seriously.)

So I'm kind of in need of finding some place local that doesn't drug people without consent, and that might have some staff that don't actively try to be mean to depressed individuals looking for help...

Any suggestions?

I also don't have any health insurance or money.

(No, I'm not officially suicidal yet, but I'd rather get this taken care of before that happens, you know?)

Comments

[sissychrissy1.livejournal.com]

I've had great experiences with CHA overall, but not the best with the Psychiatric Emergency Service hotline, which is unfortunate. I recommend calling the hospital itself if you can or just going in. I really don't think they can drug you without your consent if you voluntarily sign yourself in.

Legally they can drug you for "emergency" purposes.

[turil.livejournal.com]

I just looked up the law and they can indeed legally drug you if they feel you are a threat to yourself or others. In other words they can give you a "sedative" drug if you get really angry.

And I can easily see myself getting really angry, and I don't think putting nasty chemicals into my brain is going to make me any healthier. A padded room sounds nice, perhaps, but not creepy sleepy drugs :-)

Re: Legally they can drug you for "emergency" purposes.

[sissychrissy1.livejournal.com]

That sucks. I've was really anti-medication for a long time, but it's still better than truly harming yourself.

If you don't find something that better suits your needs this weekend, check out their outpatient services on Monday, which I've found to be really fantastic.

Re: Legally they can drug you for "emergency" purposes.

[lissie930.livejournal.com]

It's my understand that they would have to admit you involuntarily for this (drugging you without your consent), and if you're not suicidal, they would probably not admit you (do not take this as TRUTH because this isn't a system I've worked in, but IME it's pretty hard to get admitted to a psych unit these days). I would be surprised if the first thing they did would be to drug you without your consent. What is your local ER? Cambridge Hospital? Could you call them and see what their protocol is for psych emergencies?

I'm sorry you're hurting, and I'll be thinking about you tonight.

Re: Legally they can drug you for "emergency" purposes.

[emcicle.livejournal.com]

but IME it's pretty hard to get admitted to a psych unit these days)

i do work in this system, and it is true, it is very hard to get admitted inpatient, even when you are suicidal. I'm not saying it's right, but it happens all too often

I do wish you the best of luck.