Late last year my child's doctor requested a mental health assessment. I was married to a person who was extremely abusive and drunk excessively. Unfortunately, my child and I endured abuse for many years before we separated and my child still suffers from the trauma.
CAMHS supplied a Telehealth assessment that I felt didn't go according to plan. The staff member doing the assessment was very rude and abrupt. My child had an anxiety attack and shut down and wouldn't respond. The staff member was clearly getting frustrated and the whole ordeal was very intimidating for both of us.
February this year my child was put on suicide watch and was required to do another assessment. I requested that it not be done by the same person but unfortunately was. The interview itself went a little better but towards the end, the staff member told me to hide all medication. I replied that I'm an ex-addict and don't have anything stronger than Panadol in my house, I felt they then proceeded to berate me and lecture me in front of my child about just how dangerous Panadol really is and how a handful of pills could kill my child.
A few days later this same staff member rang me to discuss the outcome of the assessment. They told me they had already been in contact with my child's parent and had discussed the assessment with them. I questioned why they had discussed private details without my consent as we no longer had contact with my child's other parent and as my child's trauma was related to them, we didn't want them knowing just yet, the staff member told me they can discuss it with the biological parent if they want and then told me that my child's trauma had absolutely nothing to do with their other parent and they weren't at fault.
A few weeks ago my child tried to take their life by popping over 50 Panadol. They were rushed to another hospital where the doctors have been nothing short of fantastic. when I asked my child why they chose to take Panadol, they said, because that staff member told me that they would kill me.
My child is now on the long road to recovery but I'm still hurting.
Why did it take my child to do this before the system would help us? I've asked for help for 2 years and fallen on deaf ears.
Who do I speak to, as I want to make sure this doesn't happen to someone else's child.
"My child's mental health demons"
About: Pilbara Mental Health and Drug Service Pilbara Mental Health and Drug Service South Hedland 6722
Posted by earmarktc36 (as ),
Do you have a similar story to tell?
Tell your story & make a difference ››
Responses
See more responses from Roger Golling