Mental Health Blogs

It is with a very heavy heart that I tell you all that Stephany of Soulful Sepulcher yesterday lost her three-year fight to keep her daughter Lindsay out of Western State Hospital here in Washington State. Stephany has written about the loss here.

Linds, as she’s known, was sent there because there’s no other placement for her even though a King County Superior Court judge found her not to be a danger to her self or others. She is instead at danger from society…ie, being hit by cars because she has a habit of walking off from her housing. Linds is officially diagnosed with schizophrenia or psychosis NOS, depending on who’s diagnosing, but her mom makes a compelling case for Linds having autism.

Linds is 21 with the capacity of about a 13 year old. She was at WSH for about two weeks a few years ago and got molested by one of the male patients. I’m hoping to God that doesn’t happen this time, but the last time I checked there were 19 registered sex offenders at WSH. While I suppose most of those are guys in WSH’s forensic unit (ie, jail), there are likely some on the general adult units. A young woman like Linds is–excuse the expression–fresh meat to them and if one of those creeps goes after her I will hit the roof.

The system is bad enough already, but women should not have to face the prospect of sexual abuse. Same for the men.

Stephany has fought heroically for three years in ways that I have never seen a parent fight for a child. She and Linds deserved a better outcome. I hope they get one soon.

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4. NY State Discriminated Against Mentally Ill In Adult Homes
5. House Health Care Bill Mandates Study Of Mental Health Outcomes of Abortion, Adoption