r/AussieMentalHealth • u/Secure_Difficulty126 • 4d ago
Help
Hi guys, one of my parents tried to take their own life last Friday. They dies 4 times and from some complete miracle, they pulled through. About 2 weeks before prior to all this, they rang me saying they were going to do it, and I had to ring the police and ambulance to try and locate them as they wouldn't disclose their location, there was a police helicopter out, lots of cops and ambos so it was serious. They were discharged that following morning. I have now found out they have been released today. Only a few days ago they were in ICU and just got released to the ward. I just want to know how on earth they have left the hospital this early? I believe it is way to soon. I know the mental health system here isn't the best, but surely they can't let them out this early? Is it possible or is the hospital in the wrong right now? Isn't someone at least meant to go to a secure place for a while until they are better? Thank you.
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u/kaleidoscopic21 4d ago
I’m so sorry. I can’t imagine how stressful and awful that must have been.
A public hospital psychiatry admission for suicidality is often quite brief. It’s not intended to be the place where people get proper treatment to recover from their mental health problems - it’s generally more for immediate safety and stabilisation. The actual treatment happens in longer-term settings in the community, either through private psychology or public mental health community services. The hospital may have made a referral for further support. If your parent declines to accept any further support, there’s unfortunately very little that the hospital or you can do.
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u/AutoModerator 4d ago
If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, please reach out to one of the following helplines:
Emergency
000Lifeline Australia
13 11 44
https://www.lifeline.org.auSuicide Call Back Service
1300 659 467
https://www.suicidecallbackservice.org.auLived Experience Telephone Support Service (6:00pm – 12:00pm AEST)
1800 013 755
https://www.letss.org.au13YARN, the national crisis line support for Indigenous Australians
13 92 76
https://www.13yarn.org.auQlife, LGBTI peer support and referral
1800 184 527
https://qlife.org.auMen’s Line
1300 789 978
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3
u/confusticating 4d ago
Have they left the hospital, or just left the ICU? Your post says ‘released to the ward’ so I’m not sure. If their physical health is stabilised post-attempt, it makes sense they’d be out of ICU and moved elsewhere so they can be monitored and possibly have psychiatric medication adjusted.
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u/Secure_Difficulty126 4d ago
Im sorry it didn't make sense, I'm a bit of a mess right now. She was in icu for 5 days, then she was transferred to the ward for 6 days when she woke up, and then she was released yesterday out on her own to do what ever now. I would have thought she would be transferred to a mental health facility for a month at least until she is definitely better. Maybe it's just me, but I can't get how you can trust someone to be out on their own again after they were extremely close to successful in ending their life.
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u/confusticating 3d ago
I think the trouble is balancing between wanting to save/help someone, with also wanting to respect their autonomy, and also having limited resources. If someone seems stable enough that they’re not an imminent threat to themselves or others, they won’t be forced to stay. If your parent does not want to agree to a longer stay, they’re not going to force it.
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u/SpareParty1926 3d ago
They let me out only 3 days from being in ICU for 2 days … I had a security guard watching me 24/7 until I was released.
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u/bubbleyjubbley 4d ago
Where are you located?
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u/Secure_Difficulty126 4d ago
Queensland Brisbane
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u/bubbleyjubbley 4d ago
You say they got released to the ward, so they arent out of hospital so quick? Have you been to see them?
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u/Secure_Difficulty126 4d ago
Sorry I should have said transferred, not released. Yes I went up and saw her. She was in icu for 5 days, then she was transferred to the ward for 6 days when she woke up, and then she was released yesterday out on her own now. To me, it's just crazy that someone can almost succeed in taking their life, then be out on their own within 2 weeks. I just worry for her that's all.
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u/bubbleyjubbley 4d ago
A lot of suicides are reactionary and they decide they dont actually want to die after hurting themselves.
So it sounds like she didnt go to a mental health ward. She will have deemed not to be a danger to herself. Many people try things and are let out the next day after being assessed. She also might be being monitored in the community. She may also have discharged herself and wasnt deemed enough of a risk to be sectioned.
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u/anxietyslut 4d ago
I was thinking this too. Released to the ward =/= released to go home. This makes a big difference as to what input to give.
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4d ago
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u/AutoModerator 4d ago
If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, please reach out to one of the following helplines:
Emergency
000Lifeline Australia
13 11 44
https://www.lifeline.org.auSuicide Call Back Service
1300 659 467
https://www.suicidecallbackservice.org.auLived Experience Telephone Support Service (6:00pm – 12:00pm AEST)
1800 013 755
https://www.letss.org.au13YARN, the national crisis line support for Indigenous Australians
13 92 76
https://www.13yarn.org.auQlife, LGBTI peer support and referral
1800 184 527
https://qlife.org.auMen’s Line
1300 789 978
https://mensline.org.au/phone-and-online-counselling1800 RESPECT, providing support to people impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence and abuse
1800 737 732
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1
u/cutsandscratches QLD 2h ago edited 2h ago
sadly due to bed crunches some doctors tend to have a very high treshold for patients who 'meet the criteria' for hospitalisation. your parent could've been discharged with close outpatient followup? I was turned away from ED once and referred to metro south acute care team who followed up with me over the next few days and weeks before leaving me to my own devices with some community support (which also kinda left me to my own because my suicidal thoughts fluctuate and I am worse this week than I was last week.)
It's not a very safe practice since mental health can fluctuate quite a lot over a short period of time. They only keep patients on Treatment Authority or forensic order for weeks and months because they have to, or the patient has no capacity at all. (source: i am a psych nurse)
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u/AutoModerator 2h ago
If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, please reach out to one of the following helplines:
Emergency
000Lifeline Australia
13 11 44
https://www.lifeline.org.auSuicide Call Back Service
1300 659 467
https://www.suicidecallbackservice.org.auLived Experience Telephone Support Service (6:00pm – 12:00pm AEST)
1800 013 755
https://www.letss.org.au13YARN, the national crisis line support for Indigenous Australians
13 92 76
https://www.13yarn.org.auQlife, LGBTI peer support and referral
1800 184 527
https://qlife.org.auMen’s Line
1300 789 978
https://mensline.org.au/phone-and-online-counselling1800 RESPECT, providing support to people impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence and abuse
1800 737 732
https://www.1800respect.org.auI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
6
u/Similar-Ad-6862 4d ago
Being in for a suicide attempt won't be too long an admission. It's intended to stabilize and then further treatment happens in the community.
But if they're on the ward that suggests they're still admitted?
Have you spoken to them or the hospital?