Tips from Disability Rights California to Avoid Prolonged Psychiatric Holds

Here are some helpful tips from Disability Rights California to prevent extended psychiatric holds.
 http://www.disabilityrightsca.org/Documents/ListofGrantsAndContracts.html.

Being detained for treatment can be a difficult experience. Though you do not have complete control over the outcome, the following actions may help show that you do not need additional treatment: 

If you are held for being a danger to yourself: 

Try not to do anything to harm yourself, and do not make any threats to harm yourself. The person evaluating you will usually be checking to see that you have stopped any harmful behavior, AND that if you are released, you will not try to harm yourself again. It may be helpful to let staff know if you have a doctor that you can see when released, or medication available to you to treat symptoms that led to any harmful behavior. 

If you are held for being a danger to others: 

Being detained can be upsetting and stressful, but try not to be short-tempered or belligerent with other patients or staff. Do not provoke arguments, and do not let yourself be provoked. Do not push, grab, or hit anyone. Try not to touch anyone unless asked to by staff. 

If you are held for being gravely disabled: 

The person evaluating you will be looking for whether you are able to care for your own basic needs. While you are in the hospital, use this time to take care of yourself. Eat the meals that are provided. Try to get some sleep. If you came in without clothes or your clothes were taken from you, wear the clothing the hospital gives you. Use the bathroom and showers to clean yourself and take care of your basic hygiene needs. 

Let staff know if you have access to your own food, clothing, and shelter. If these things aren’t available, you can try to let staff know that you at least know how to get food, clothing, and shelter, or that you know how to get help with these things. You do not have to prove that you can do this all on your own. 

If you have someone who can help you with your basic needs, ask them to explain to the facility or court, in writing if possible, their relationship to you and how they can help. General Tips to Consider If you know someone who can help you with treatment or your basic needs, or who can explain why you do not need to be hospitalized, it may be helpful to contact them. This could be a friend, family member, doctor, or anyone else who can help. 

If you have someone who has been helping you, or who is available and willing to help, they should submit a letter to the court stating so. A court will not consider someone’s ability to help unless they state it in writing. § 5250(d)(2). However, the hospital may be willing to speak with someone on the phone. This information is also important for your patients’ rights advocate or lawyer to have. If you have a hearing on whether you need to be held longer than 72 hours, this person or the information they provide may help the hearing officer or judge in making their decision. 

While at the hospital, you will likely be with other people also being treated or held because of a mental illness. Respect their privacy and their personal space, especially near the nurses’ station, seclusion rooms, the telephone, TV, and while they are eating. The hospital may provide activities while you are there. Though you will likely not be required to participate, doing so may show staff that you can safely interact with people. These activities may also be helpful for your own sake, by reducing stress or taking your mind off of your detention.

http://www.disabilityrightsca.org/Documents/ListofGrantsAndContracts.html.

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