Just popping in to say hi and goodnight

PrincessDi80 · October 2010

Hi ladies today was super duper busy for me today, I never got a chance to get on the board but I wanted to let you all know that I was thinking of ya. Ikissedthecook....GOOD LUCK tomorrow!!

Worked was so unbelievably draining today, which continued until just now as I had to bring paperwork home. While I was at work this evening the receptionist paged a phone call in to me (because I was the only poor clinical soul still at work). The phone call I received was so heartbreaking ....it was from a 30 year old man, who was a resident at my agency in 1996-1997. He rambled on for approximately 10 minutes about how "staff is holding him against his will and that he just wants to go home". It very soon became apparent that he was residing in some type of adult psychiatric facility, which he claims to have been at for the past 15 years. The man kept repeating "they keep telling me to take my meds and then I can go home, I take my meds but I am still here". From our conversation it appears as though the man may suffer from schizophrenia. I was able to get a name and phone number from him of a social worker that he works with, and with my supervisor's permission I will be attempting to contact that worker in the morning. It breaks my heart that after 14 years and whatever turmoil this man has been though and is currently going through, that he would remember our agency and reach out for some help. There is probably not much I can do for this man, but the phone call demonstrated the pure sadness and loneliness that those with severe mental illness experience, and reminded me why I wanted to be a psychologist to begin with. I know that I have mentioned it before but it is mental health awareness week, please help our society fight the stigma that often prevents many from seeking and/or receiving the support that they need.

lauralizabee · October 2010

Holy cow, what a heartbreaking phone call Sad that had to have been scary and sad to deal with....so good that you were able to figure the situation out and try to get him what he needed.