I was just reading through this article, and i understand about the risk assessment stuff, i have ben through it at a hospital, where is was not admitted because they didn't have room and i was not a risk.
This particular paragraph irks me,
Risk assessment checklist:
Includes Basics of a risk assessment: Is the person thinking about self harm/suicide? Does the person have a plan to self harm/suicide? Does the person have intent to self harm/suicide? Does the person have access to the means to self harm/suicide?
I agree with needing to assess the situation, except from my expierence, when you ask someone bluntly in the ER of a Hospital when they are in crisis, 1. It peeves them off, because it almost comes across like they arn't taking the fact that you are there seriously. 2. It creates more stressors for the patient to just go into flight mode, which if that occurs increses risk of self harm. 3. The lack of empathy when going through this by the er receptionist person, also creates more friction that the reason you are there is not important, and then you have to wait upwards of 3 hours to even be seen by the psychiatric triage nurse, again intensifies the feelings of not being taken seriously and to flight.
If you are lucky and have someone calm with you, to reassure you that it is all normal and the way it works, it is quite distressing.
There needs to be a better way, of asking those very important questions, but no shit, they ask them just blandly, and that they are not taking you seriously, is the impression given.
I think it is great that they are pushing for more, but there has to be a clear and concise method of ER intakes, that does not cause so much distress, when already in crisis.
I understand the system is massively flawed and staff are over worked under paid, and there is not enough beds for people who in crisis, come into the ER, it is easier if they can be heard and then dismissed, with here have something to calm you down and if your still not feeling well in the next couple of days, ring the catt team, who unfortunately again, over worked, and only come when severe crisis.
Crisis - someone at severe risk of self harm/suicide
Crisis - someone who is bordering on such thoughts, and gets ignored/missed because they seem alright in the risk assessment, all of a sudden are in severe crisis.
I have written two types of crisis, the latter is the one that gets brushed over which causes more harm then good.
I have no research to back this, except my own expierences, and i have heard it is better at some other hospitals
it for me is a key factor that needs to change, the first person you speak to, is not the understanding one, they are tired and over worked, ER ward reception person, i don't know there actual title sorry