An Old Crisis

 I know someone right now…I’ll call him Brad…who is in the middle of not only a mental health crisis, but also is trying to navigate the incredibly complicated world of insurance, placement, and treatment at the same time.  Brad not only is clinically depressed; he also has had suicidal thoughts and has begun at least once to act on those thoughts.  He has a provider, is on prescribed medications, has insurance, and recognizes that he needs help.  Those things alone are much more than many of the mentally ill have.  Brad’s checked himself into an area mental health treatment facility more than once and is there now.

Brad is a single man who has parents living, and in fact lives with his parents.  His parents aren’t much help, generally disbelieving in mental health issues and saying that he soon will “snap out of it.”  His ex wife and her family are very concerned for Brad and are helping him as best they can from the distance of an ex-in-law family.

As I said earlier, Brad is now in an area treatment facility that is a short-term placement.  His insurance is covering a short term stay, but will not go farther with this facility.  Brad needs to check in to a facility for a long-term treatment plan.  He is willing to do so and knows he needs to do so.  There is only one such facility that is appropriate for him in Kansas.  But according to those working with him, it may be weeks before all of the paperwork, permission from his insurance, and an open available bed come together.

The big question is, what is Brad going to do between now and some nebulous time in the future when a bed may become available for him?  Go back home to his parents, who believe he doesn’t have a genuine health issue?  Find a friend to live with?  Go it on his own, hoping either he or someone else will stop him from carrying out his suicidal tendencies?

Mental health care, not only in Kansas, but nationwide, is and has long been in crisis mode.  Far too many mentally ill people are living on the streets.  Far too many mentally ill people cannot get the care they need.  Far too many mentally ill people have to somehow navigate the incredibly complex world of insurance, medical records, facility beds, transportation, and other issues at the same time they are in the midst of some kind of mental health crisis.

There are thousands of Brads just in the Wichita metropolitan area, to say nothing of nationwide.  When, in heaven’s name, are we going to recognize our responsibility as a society to care for these moms, dads, sons, daughters, grand children, grand parents, aunts, and uncles?  When are we going to prioritize mental health as we do entertainment & leisure, social media, and accumulation of wealth?

I don’t know the answers.  I’m not even sure of the questions anymore.  But I am certain that Brad and those like him will continue to receive no care or substandard care for the foreseeable future.  And for that, other than advocate for change, all I can do is say, I am so sorry.