mental health in MoDOC (Need Assistance and advice...)

[Sshari2002]

I am wondering...does anyone else here have a loved one in Missouri that has to contend with mental health issues? Robert was diagnosed with Bi-polar before he went in and was doing a great job with the combination of therapy and medication. Now the therapy is gone and they have taken away the medications that help him survive and have watered it down to next to nothing. They claim to offer classes on coping skills and other useful topics but the classes never start. You can sign up for them, but that is as far as it will go. He sees a phyciatrist maybe once every two months and the guy can never remember him or what his needs are. We are getting very frustrated and I don't want to sit around waiting for Robert to go under while they undo all the good work he has done. Can anyone shed some insight on this or what I might be able to do to get something DONE? Thanks!

Always,
Shari

[Ken]

Shari,

This is off of the MoDOC site... although it does not talk specifically about your situation, it outlines the MoDOC policy for mental health care...

MENTAL HEALTH CARE SERVICES

Top

ARE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AVAILABLE?

Mental health screening services are available in all institutions. Psychologists are available to meet with offenders and provide mental health services including individual or group therapy. If you believe that an offender is having difficulties, is under unusual stress, or even suicidal, you should encourage him or her to request an appointment with an institutional mental health professional, or you should call the institution directly. Staff are available to meet with offenders and provide mental health care services when needed.

WHO SHOULD BE CONTACTED IF MENTAL HEALTH CARE SERVICES MAY BE NEEDED?

One of the best ways to identify an offender who may require temporary or long-term mental health care services is through family or friends. If you believe an offender is suicidal, requires evaluation, or just needs an opportunity to meet with mental health care professionals for assessment, you should immediately contact the institutional caseworker or an institutional mental health staff member who can schedule an appointment. The Department has instituted a program involving trained offender observation assistants to help detect offenders who may be contemplating suicide. Offender observation assistants supplement the efforts of correctional staff by making additional frequent routine rounds in offender housing units.

WHAT TYPES OF FACILITIES ARE AVAILABLE FOR THE CHRONICALLY MENTALLY ILL?

The Department has several options for providing mental health care to those who require treatment. Through an arrangement with the Department of Mental Health, offenders may be housed at Biggs Corrections Treatment Unit in Fulton, Missouri. In addition, the Department of Mental Health works with our Department to provide services at a 60-bed Corrections Treatment Center within the Farmington Correctional Center. This unit provides services for the chronically mentally ill who require intermediate and long-term inpatient care. Also at that site is the 200-bed Social Rehabilitation Unit, which provides mental health support services in a general population housing unit. A Special Needs Unit operates at the Potosi Correctional Center. This unit, jointly staffed by the Department of Corrections and Department of Mental Health, is specifically designed for those maximum security offenders with diagnoses of mental retardation or developmental disabilities who, because of their disability, are unable to function in a general population setting. At Women’s Eastern Reception, Diagnostic & Correctional Center is a Women’s Social Rehabilitation Unit that provides mental health support services for women.


Have you called Robert's case worker and talke to him/her? How about the Warden? I don't think that you should let this go too far because I am sure that he is always better off on the meds...

Anyone else have ideas?

[Sshari2002]

Thanks, Teb.
They have watered down his meds enough to say they ARE giving him his medication, but without on going therapy...well, I don't want to say he's RUINED, but it's going to be a long, up hill climb! What about these classes and groups they say they offer? Where are these? Every institution offers A.A. (which is great and much needed) but as far as coping skills for the outside, they say they offer that...but no one knows anyone who has ever been! We are frusterated but I have to say KUDOS to Robert for treading water and hanging in there. He has a phyciatrist that comes every 2 months and like I said before, this man couldn't be less interested. Why do people get jobs in the DOC who just don't care? I'm a little bitter, sorry!
Love,
Shari

[Ken]

Shari,

There was just a post in the medical forum about letters for health care... check that out.

I have asked Teddy why he is not doing more 'programs' as they are all helpful but he always says that the waiting lists are too long and it could take years to get in.

Check out that new post and see if it can be of assistance?

[Sshari2002]

Teb, I'm glad Teddy is in Missouri...that puts YOU here! Thank you so much! I am checking out the post now!
Love,
Shari

[Justice21]

My son told me that the kind of Psych treatment he got in Jeff City was a farce.. said he asked the Psych what he liked about his job and the guy told him "all it was is just a job to him." My son then refused to go back and said he has been through so much of this kind of treatment..he could teach it!

[shadowwally]

Shari, Robert has bi-polar which is classified as a severe and persistent mental illness. That is a serious diagnosis. it means he can maintain and live a normal, or almost normal, lifestyle while on the proper medications and treatment. If not, you are right, his disease will degenerate. Not only should he be given proper medication, he should be supervised while taking them. Kudos for him for sure if he had already been doing that. They are known for feeling better and going off their meds. that means he has come to a real acceptance of his illness, which is no different than being diabetic and needing treatment. i would so make friends with the nursing staff, whoever, catch more flies with honey and all that. Fight the big fight as well for prisoners in mo., but in the meantime kiss all the a-- you need to to get him whatever you think he needs. please, don't make enemies of the only ones who may help you. and work on this on the phone with the medical staff asap. look up what they are giving him, compared to what he was taking. call his former doctor, it may be sufficient, which just a few annoying side effects. coordinate the info you get with his old doc. remember, hippa laws are a bit-- so get the proper forms signed. find out something you have in common with whoever you are talking and let the conversation stray to their problems occasionally if need be. think of yourself as an undercover agent with one goal in mind--robert's health. good luck. marian

[Christy]

FYI...the original post in this thread was from 2003! I don't believe Shari comes on here anymore!