Ok, a relative of mine is bipolar and went to the er tuesday night because she was spazzing out. She deals with these episodes all the time but I guess this one was really bad. She told them she was having suicidal thoughts. Big mistake.
here we are 2 days later and she's in the nuthouse will real wackos shuffling around, I just got back. She's not a nut, she should not be there. I am scared for her safety first and foremost.
I wanna get out and take her to a real doctor and get her meds correct.
She calls me and wants me to come get her out I try and they will not let her out. She wants out and I want her out but they say no, the doctor decides when she gets out. I called the cops and made a big scene and no go. They say the law is not on my side here.
Anyone know how the fuck I can go about getting her out as soon as possible?
Any info anyone can give me would be awesome as this is some serious bullshit.

Hey-

Was she actually committed? Sounds like it.

My old drummer...from Yowie...is working on his PHD in clinical psychology in St. Louis, MO. If you would want me to ask him what your options might be...let me know. He is a solid and decent human.

If someone is put on suicide watch, they have absolutely no choice on getting out early. In some cases I think the minimum amount of time is about 1 week. there's nothing you can do other than try to visit as much as possible. I agree that those places don't seem conducive to people getting better, but there's really nothing you can do.


bets to you and yours.

rayj wrote:Hey-

Was she actually committed? Sounds like it.

My old drummer...from Yowie...is working on his PHD in clinical psychology in St. Louis, MO. If you would want me to ask him what your options might be...let me know. He is a solid and decent human.

Yes any info on what I can do would be super appreciated....she says she signed some papers when they brought her to the hospital. I assume that means she committed herself.

kerble wrote:If someone is put on suicide watch, they have absolutely no choice on getting out early. In some cases I think the minimum amount of time is about 1 week. there's nothing you can do other than try to visit as much as possible. I agree that those places don't seem conducive to people getting better, but there's really nothing you can do.


bets to you and yours.

no way she's staying there a week, no fucking way

If the papers would not have been signed, she would have been committed anyway, but as "non-voluntarily," which is even worse. The ONLY way out for her is to co-operate with the doctors as much as possible. She is there, legally, because if she went home and killed herself the hospital would be responsible and could be sued. This is the society we live in, unfortunately.

Basically, she has to calm down, and tell the doctors whatever they want to hear. It's the only way. It's one of those situations where fighting will only make things worse. RE: the time- there is no "minimum" time- they will keep her there until they are 100% sure she is ok to go home and be alone. That could be three days or two weeks. As a friend, it'd be in her (and thus your) best interest to explain (calmly) you and others are there for her, that this is a one-time incident, and that you believe being there is not going to help her as much as being home in a comfortable environment with loved ones will.

Marsupialized wrote:

kerble wrote:If someone is put on suicide watch, they have absolutely no choice on getting out early. In some cases I think the minimum amount of time is about 1 week. there's nothing you can do other than try to visit as much as possible. I agree that those places don't seem conducive to people getting better, but there's really nothing you can do.


bets to you and yours.

no way she's staying there a week, no fucking way

I had a friend who did and he did for six days. I know that may not reflect exactly what happened to yours, but he did "commit himself" (not sure on the specifics of how that happened) and the docs would not let him leave. Visiting there sucked. the people in those wards in the hospital seemed so much "further gone," whereas my friend was completely lucid and 'normal as he usually is', which was really discomforting about the place.

kerble wrote:

Marsupialized wrote:

kerble wrote:If someone is put on suicide watch, they have absolutely no choice on getting out early. In some cases I think the minimum amount of time is about 1 week. there's nothing you can do other than try to visit as much as possible. I agree that those places don't seem conducive to people getting better, but there's really nothing you can do.


bets to you and yours.

no way she's staying there a week, no fucking way

I had a friend who did and he did for six days. I know that may not reflect exactly what happened to yours, but he did "commit himself" (not sure on the specifics of how that happened) and the docs would not let him leave. Visiting there sucked. the people in those wards in the hospital seemed so much "further gone," whereas my friend was completely lucid and 'normal as he usually is', which was really discomforting about the place.

yeah same thing there were crazy fucks all over, males and females...what's stopping one of those crazy fucks from trying to jump on her at night? or one of the guards?
Fuck fuck fuck fuck
This is terrible really terrible and I have no clue what to do next
I appreciate the help everyone

Find an attorney who specializes in mental illness law- according to the Illinois code:

(d) No facility shall prevent any attorney who represents a recipient or who has been requested to do so by any relative or family member of the recipient, from visiting a recipient during normal business hours, unless that recipient refuses to meet with the attorney.

all the IL statutes here

From a quick read, it looks like her family must petition for a hearing.

visit as much as you can. bring her books and magazines and crossword puzzles and newspapers and other distractions to help her keep to herself. I brought my friend Ice Cream when he asked for it (they can't take any food out of the common area, so only bring small portions).

The security folks seemed okay at the other spot, have a little faith in them and you may just feel better, because that's all you can do about them.