Relative has been sectioned under the Mental Health Act

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Relative has been sectioned under the Mental Health Act

34 posts & 21 voices | Started 5 months ago by Cletus | Latest reply from Cletus

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Cletus - Member

Hi,

I am hoping for some serious advice and not "comical" responses.

I have just been told that my aunt has been sectioned under the Mental Health act. She is 60 and has always been known in the family as being a bit highly strung. She suffered from post-natal depression when her son (only child) was born 35 years ago but has always been very kind and friendly with me and my family although we do not see her much as she and my uncle live 150 miles away.

She wrote to my partner two years ago when I had a health scare (encephalitis) and seemed in good spirits when we last saw her at a christening in the Summer.

I guess that this action has been taken as she is a danger to herself rather than others.

I really want to let her know that we care for her but am not sure of the best way to do this. Would writing a general letter with news (and maybe photos) of the kids be appropriate or might this have a negative effect? I am going to try to talk to my uncle later in the week but am not really sure how to handle things with him.

Does anyone have any sensible advice or links to resources that may be helpful?

Thanks

Posted 5 months ago #
Jamie - Member

I would speak to Mind, or one of the other mental health charities.

Posted 5 months ago #
don simon - Member

Can't help, but good luck.

Posted 5 months ago #
grahamt1980 - Member

What jamie said. A letter would surely not be a bad thing to send anyway, your uncle could take it in with him if you cannot send it direct

Posted 5 months ago #
project - Member

Go and visit her, she is on ly in a mental health unit at the local hospital , NOT IN PRISON, im sure she would be glad to see you as would the staff for some backup information.

Posted 5 months ago #
thomthumb - Member

my cousin has been sectioned a few times. not sure i have a lot of good advice other than it is probably for her own good.

speak to someone at the hospital re: a letter. they may have specific advice on what to mention/ avoid etc.

Posted 5 months ago #
Pigface - Member

My exes sister got sectioned, she had unravelled completley, to be honest it was the best thing that could of happened. After a few weeks she came out and received loads of help and support and is now doing fine.

Good luck with it and I hope you get the same kind of result.

Posted 5 months ago #
TandemJeremy - Member

Thats a good call. ( mind)
. A letter with family news would be nice as well I guess and its hard to see what negative effect it would have. Try to speak to your uncle first if you can

Posted 5 months ago #
easygirl - Member

Depends a lot on how her mental health is at this time
Ring the hospital, speak to the staff and see if they feel a visit or letter would help her at this moment
I would be guided by them, she may not be in a state of mind to see you, but then again a visit from relatives may be what she needs
The staff in wards are usually helpful in my experience, so either go in and have a chat or ring the ward, and see what's best for her
Good luck
Sectioning people is a last resort, and it's done in a persons best interest,
Good luck and I wish her a quick recovery

Posted 5 months ago #
project - Member

The thiing is to remember being sectioned due to mental health worries, should be classed the same as any illness, you go into hospital for treatment by trained staff, and you make a recovery, and have on going treatment/support when you come out.

When i worked in a large pschie hospital, christmas was always a tough time for some people, some just wanted a warm bed and support, some wanted to get away from families.

Posted 5 months ago #
racefaceec90 - Member

i'm sorry to hear that.definitely contact mind (as others have said already).

Posted 5 months ago #
MrGreedy - Member

Being sectioned doesn't mean she's in a straitjacket in a padded room, it's surprisingly common. As others have said, good support from friends and family can be very beneficial and will generally be welcomed by staff. If for any reason they think contact could be detrimental then they should be sensitive in letting you know. A letter sounds like a sensible idea - maybe ring the ward or send with a covering note to give some background too. Hope it all works out OK.

Posted 5 months ago #
Munqe-chick - Member

A lot will depend on what section she is under. Find out where she is being detained and ask them for advice.

How to handle things, just ring him and see how he is doing. He'll no doubt be needing a lot of support right now too, then visit her if you can, if you don't feel up to it write her a letter. Contact MIND too. Good luck it's a difficult situation to be in!

Posted 5 months ago #
grantway - Member

Seriously the wrong place to ask Get proper advice
Other than that google like the rest

Hope all works out for you

Posted 5 months ago #
irc - Member

I would suggest initially contacting your uncle for an update within the next day or two. In the initial hours and days when a condition is being assessed after admission your aunt might not be helped by a visit. In any case I'm sure your uncle would appreciate you expressing your concern and offering support. I'd agree that in most cases visiting your aunt in the ward would be the best thing if she is detained for more than a few days. Obviously this depends on the her condition and the wishes of your uncle.

From the experience of a relative, visitors, whether relatives or friends were welcome if the visits were known about in advance but unexpected visits could be unsettling. But again whatever your uncle suggests would be best.

Posted 5 months ago #
ernie_lynch - Member

I am going to try to talk to my uncle later in the week but am not really sure how to handle things with him.

It sounds as if you feel nervous because it's a mental health issue, just treat it as you would any other illness, not a taboo subject. I'm sure your uncle will appreciate you doing so.

Many people still attach a strong stigma to mental health illnesses, and possibly even your uncle might do, but the more people treat it as would any other illness and not a taboo subject, then the more the stigma is removed.

I can't see a problem with sending a letter, sounds like a nice idea, and if for any reason the medical staff feel that her receiving personal mail isn't a good idea, then presumably they will hold it until it is appropriate for her to receive it. She has been sectioned after all so that her environment can be carefully controlled for her benefit. I would have thought.

Posted 5 months ago #
philconsequence - Member

if it were me i'd find out what ward she's in and give them a call, ask to speak to her keyworker if possible for advice on whether a visit would be detrimental/too much to handle or hopefully, just whats needed.

with regards to:

I am going to try to talk to my uncle later in the week but am not really sure how to handle things with him.

just say:

I really want to let her know that we care for her

and take it from there? knowing she's not being ignored/avoided by the family will hopefully be nice for him to be reassured about

Posted 5 months ago #
jumpupanddown - Member

if she is acting sane a good solicitor will have her out in a few hours.

in my experience that is

Posted 5 months ago #
ernie_lynch - Member

in my experience that is

How extensive is your experience ?

Posted 5 months ago #
jumpupanddown - Member

How extensive is your experience ?

been in that situation myself....shall we say.

Posted 5 months ago #
ernie_lynch - Member

Ah right, just the one experience then.

Posted 5 months ago #
don simon - Member

Ah right, just the one experience then.

I bet a petty fight is going to help the OP no end.

Posted 5 months ago #
jumpupanddown - Member

Ah right, just the one experience then

well yes but a piratical one.

Posted 5 months ago #
TandemJeremy - Member

A solicitor has no power under the mental health act nor can they do anything much if someone has been sectioned.

Posted 5 months ago #
ernie_lynch - Member

What fight ? I thought the advise should be qualified. Don't you agree ?

Posted 5 months ago #
don simon - Member

I think it's the OP's decision to make.

Posted 5 months ago #
ernie_lynch - Member

Of course it is, I couldn't agree more. That's why I thought the OP should have the full facts before deciding whether to accept the advise. Why don't you start an argument somewhere else DS ?

Posted 5 months ago #
jumpupanddown - Member

A solicitor has no power under the mental health act nor can they do anything much if someone has been sectioned.

when you have been falsely arrested by police and that leading to you being sectioned they can..... when the man at the desk asks you if you want to harm you're self, dont say yes!!!

Posted 5 months ago #
don simon - Member

Why don't you start an argument somewhere else DS ?

Whatever

Posted 5 months ago #
timber - Member

The reasons for sectioning can vary, so I would try to contact your aunts mental health nurse for the best direction.
Don't forget your uncle either, this may not be a situation he was prepared for.

One family friend chose to admit herself rather than the fuss of sectioning through my mothers support after the death of her husband. As far as I am aware, this has been her only contact with the mental health services and left care 2 days later.
My sister on the other hand, I haven't a clue, but if she's not at home or work, she's probably in the local psych' unit, it's like respite for her.

Posted 5 months ago #
crankboy - Member

My experience is 15 years out of date. A solicitor can challenge a section. Firstly to the managers then to a mental health tribunal. Your aunt and or your uncle could initiate this.

But is this really the issue. Just speak to your uncle let him know you are there. Ask him or the ward about visits or letters. Family support will be of value to both your aunt and uncle. There is no stigma in being ill.

My experience of even the high security wards is nothing other than positive.

Mind are your first port of call for any specialist info.

Posted 5 months ago #
organdonor - Member

I was briefly sectioned this time last year (long boring story)
The thing that helped me most was the support of my friends and family, even though most didn't know what to say to me.
I think that a letter with some family photos is a nice idea. As others have said MIND can help both you and your uncle

Posted 5 months ago #
chopchop - Member

Good luck Op, I hope your Aunt gets well soon. As has already been suggested, support your uncle as much as possible and get in touch with the ward. They should welcome any family support if its appropriate for your Aunt at this time.

The decision to impose the section won't have been taken lightly, hospital beds are in short supply especially during the xmas season. For whatever reason, she needs to be where she is for the moment.

Posted 5 months ago #
Cletus - Member

Thanks everyone for the helpful responses. Will do as suggested and contact my uncle to see what support we can offer.

Thanks also for pointing me towards MIND - there is some useful stuff on their web site.

Posted 5 months ago #

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