"He fell through the cracks" . . ."He fell through the safety net"

[HelpmeHelp]

Last edited Wed Aug 15, 2012, 05:51 AM - Edit history (1)

I have seen these phrases when they talk about the mentally ill people, the genuinely sick people who snap and spray innocent people with death.

This is a lie. The only people who are caught in the safety net are those who have advocates who know how to spin like spiders. They must be able to weave expertly at mach speed through their tears.

People who love someone with a mental illness must become experts in the disgusting system that currently pretty much leaves such people to the whims and appetites of insurance companies. Your policy may SAY that you are covered for "unlimited days with no copay for mental illness care, or addiction care".. But then you run head first into the wall of small print called "medical necessity".

This phrase pits the Doctor giving care against the Dr whose job it is to maximize investor profit.

You loved one is admitted after doing something horrifying like drinking rubbing alcohol. One of the very first questions it "What was your intent?"

Even if they know it's poison, if they say "I wanted to get drunk".. they are not officially considered to be suicidal. Their stay in a psych unit is now on a day by day basis. The insurance company will ask, now, every day, "Do you feel like killing yourself". They are actively looking for an excuse to no longer cover a psychiatric admission.

The insurance company wants them to get cheaper outpatient rehab care. Turn them loose. If they relapse in the outpatient program they are kicked out and lose their psych meds. They are ever so nicely given a referral for a "higher level of care" that they may or may not find a bed for. round robin round robin

The tragedies will continue until there is real psychiatric care offered and paid for.

[HereSince1628]

1. Unfortunately for this argument, Holmes did have access.

And he had access to mental health care that many people can't reach.

It's quite maddening, because for many people the access they percieve to have for themselves or their loved ones isn't a lot different from what you suggest.

While I absolutely agree that mental illness is far too often not seen as the equivalent of a medical illness, Jim Holmes is NOT the poster boy for that cause.

[annabanana]

2. Then why was he on the streets? . .n/t

[HereSince1628]

3. Absolutely NOT because he didn't have access.

He had EXCELLENT access.

I'm not part of the UC alert system, so I can't speak to the details.

BUT, I can say this...

James Holmes did approach the out-patient clinic. He was seen. His visit(s) with the DIRECTOR of the UC OP mental health clinic resulted in her alerting community contacts per the Colorado State statutes.

Although MANY people in America have problems gaining access to mental health care, that was NOT a problem for James Holmes.

He had access, he gained access. If something went wrong with his mental health care, it happened AFTER he had access.

[SoCalDem]

4. Because taking him "off the streets" is pretty much illegal these days

A psychiatrist can hospitalize a patient but for only a specified amount of time, during which, the patient does everything in their power to convince the doctors there that he is sane and ready to leave after the mandatory time is over.

It's a revolving door when a person is over 21.

They go off their meds...crack up go to the hospital., get medicated, leave & it starts all over.

Sometimes when there is a lot of money available, the hospitals will move heaven and earth to keep the patient (money), but most of the time, they are limited in what they can earn per patient, based on what the insurance will pay or the family can afford.

[HelpmeHelp]

7. This is exactly the problem.

What kind of help was ever even MEANT to replace the big psychiatric hospitals like the one in New York that is being torn down now?

Kings Park


Weren't there supposed to be community housing centers or something?

[Igel]

5. Because he fell through the cracks.

The other poster is right--U Colorado had decent mental health care.

They also have a campus threats committee that's responsible for reviewing campus threats. The psychiatrist referred the guy to the committee.

The problem is that it was the end of the term and then summer. She referred him about the time that he initiated paperwork to withdraw. At that point the committee chair decided it wasn't responsible for the guy--even though he was in student housing (from what I understand).

They never formally took up his case. They should have. He fell through the crack.

[HereSince1628]

8. As the Holmes story moves forward I think we'll learn more about the CO mandatory reporting law

I would guess that very many people want to know if under the law the university had an obligation to take up the case or forward the concern to an agency in the greater community.

20/20 hindsight certainly suggests that when UC acted like independent domain of limited responsibility it didn't provide the wider community with the prevention that might be hoped for.

[HelpmeHelp]

6. You're right. I just edited his picture out. I only used it because

he looked so completely lost in his head in this picture.

My point is that only the most determined people, with the greatest knowledge of the twists and turns that the Insurance Industry is capable of is able to stick together that so-called "safety net"

Even people of moderate means with "good" insurance are left helpless in the face of for profit healthcare.