This is a frightening situation in my area

[Reba]

What exactly is your point, Reba? I would love to educate you, as you requested in a previous post. Unfortunately, I can't get passed your judgemental attitude and closed mindedness in order to educate you about these matters.

You won't (or can't) even answer my simple questions.

At least I don't call other people judgmental and closed minded, and when they ask me questions, I answer them.

 

[Reba]

I don't think a mental institution with security system like a prison is conducive to treatment. Beside - this isn't a maximum-security type facility.

It appears to be a very minimal security type facility.

 

[Reba]

Just for the record, I never said the facility should be shut down.

I never said that adolescents shouldn't be able receive treatment.

I asked only that the facility be honest about who they treat there, as far as ages go. Residents who are 19 and 21 years old are not adolescents. Residents who have criminal convictions need to be in more secure facilities. The staff and security need to be beefed up so they don't run away (12 previous runaway calls to the police before this latest incident). I would also like to see a system in place for notifying neighbors when someone does escape from the facility. Between that facility and where the three guys were picked up are several residential neighborhoods that they had to pass thru.

Yes, I have sympathy for the residents in the facility but I also appreciate the concerns of people living in the neighborhood. They have rights, too.

If that makes me closed minded and judgmental, so be it.

 

[jillio]

You won't (or can't) even answer my simple questions.

At least I don't call other people judgmental and closed minded, and when they ask me questions, I answer them.

Your questions have been answered time and time and time again throughout this thread. Just because you won't accept the answers doesn't mean they haven't been given.

 

[Reba]

Are you sure these questions were answered?


Is a six-foot wooden privacy fence "secure?"

What does "security facility" entail?

If the Summerville center has all those things [for fire safety], that's good. I don't know. Do you?

Do you know about their buildings or procedures?

hould they be allowed unmonitored communications that allow them to plan escapes?

 

[jillio]

Are you sure these questions were answered?


Is a six-foot wooden privacy fence "secure?"

What does "security facility" entail?

If the Summerville center has all those things [for fire safety], that's good. I don't know. Do you?

Do you know about their buildings or procedures?

hould they be allowed unmonitored communications that allow them to plan escapes?

Yes, I am sure they were answered.:roll:

But seriously, Reba, since this is such a concern for you, why aren't you taking steps to make sure that things are changed to meet your standards?

 

[Glenn]

It appears to be a very minimal security type facility.

It is probably secure enough for most patients, just like any prison is secure enough for most inmates. There are always going to be people who attempt escape. And if every mental illness treatment facility were as secure as a maximum security prison, the cost would be astronomical.

 

[jillio]

It is probably secure enough for most patients, just like any prison is secure enough for most inmates. There are always going to be people who attempt escape. And if every mental illness treatment facility were as secure as a maximum security prison, the cost would be astronomical.

BTW, when a patient leaves a psychiatric hopsital without permission, as in this case, it is not even called "escape". It is called "elopement". Unfortunately, people seem to want to apply correctional standards to hospitalization.

And, we must also keep in mind that "appears to be" is not equal to "actually is".

 

[Reba]

Yes, I am sure they were answered.:roll:

I did a "search this thread" word search, and didn't find any answers to those questions.

But seriously, Reba, since this is such a concern for you, why aren't you taking steps to make sure that things are changed to meet your standards?

Because I'm giving them a chance to explain themselves first, and I'm trying to get more information first.

 

[jillio]

I did a "search this thread" word search, and didn't find any answers to those questions.


Because I'm giving them a chance to explain themselves first, and I'm trying to get more information first.

Doesn't surprise me. You didn't recognize the answers the first time around,either.

Oh, so you have addressed this issue with the facility itself, then, and not just AD?

 

[Reba]

BTW, when a patient leaves a psychiatric hopsital without permission, as in this case, it is not even called "escape". It is called "elopement". Unfortunately, people seem to want to apply correctional standards to hospitalization....

OK--they scale a fence and leave without permission, and sometimes end up hundreds of miles away until the police catch them. Will changing terms change the facts? Or does it just sound better?

 

[jillio]

OK--they scale a fence and leave without permission, and sometimes end up hundreds of miles away until the police catch them. Will changing terms change the facts? Or does it just sound better?

Yeah, it sometimes happens. And in this case, no harm came from it. Your point?

My point was, people are attempting to discuss this from a perspective they actually have no knowledge of, and as a consequence, are attempting to apply standards that are not applicable.

 

[Reba]

Doesn't surprise me. You didn't recognize the answers the first time around,either.

Show me the post that answers my question about the fence.

An aside--the lattice across the top of the fence, and the electronic gate were recent additions. They didn't even have that much security until this year.

Oh, so you have addressed this issue with the facility itself, then, and not just AD?

Others have, and I'm waiting to see if they reply. So far, there's been nothing. Maybe they have the same attitude that you have, that it's not necessary to explain oneself or answer the questions of ordinary people.

For your information, they don't answer their phone calls or emails. Other people in my subdivision have emailed them and get nothing in response.

 

[Reba]

Yeah, it sometimes happens. And in this case, no harm came from it. Your point?

My point, as I stated, was that changing a term doesn't change the facts; it just makes people feel better.

My point was, people are attempting to discuss this from a perspective they actually have no knowledge of, and as a consequence, are attempting to apply standards that are not applicable.

And because of lack of cooperation, we're unlikely to gain any knowledge of what's going on.

 

[jillio]

My point, as I stated, was that changing a term doesn't change the facts; it just makes people feel better.


And because of lack of cooperation, we're unlikely to gain any knowledge of what's going on.

Nope, and making assumptions and playing "what if" doesn't change the facts, either, which are, 4 patients eloped, all have been returned, and there was no harm done to anyone. If you want to feel better, stick to the facts. If you want to increase your anxiety and worry about that which didn't happen, and is not probable to happen in the future, then play "what if".

So, you have contacted the facility regarding your concerns? That would be a "yes" or a "no".

 

[Glenn]

Nope, and making assumptions and playing "what if" doesn't change the facts, either, which are, 4 patients eloped, all have been returned, and there was no harm done to anyone. If you want to feel better, stick to the facts. If you want to increase your anxiety and worry about that which didn't happen, and is not probable to happen in the future, then play "what if".

So, you have contacted the facility regarding your concerns? That would be a "yes" or a "no".

She said she tried to contact them.

For your information, they don't answer their phone calls or emails. Other people in my subdivision have emailed them and get nothing in response.

 

[jillio]

She said she tried to contact them.

For something this important, I certainly would not give up after one attempt. Likewise, the state's Mental Health Dept. should be contacted, and legal representatives and politicians so that laws regarding release of information can be changed, and the medical board so that risk assessment can be changed. I can think of many organizations that should be contacted so that mentally ill patients are never placed in a position of being able to ever elope from a treatment facility ever again and place the public at such a great risk of being harmed.

I am fairly certain there is a good reason they are not answering emails and phone calls from the general public.

 

[Reba]

Here is a copy of my email, with my identifying information deleted:

To: marketing@palmettobehavioralhealth.net
Subject: Palmetto Lowcountry Behavioral Health, Summerville

To Whom It May Concern,

In reference to the recent "elopement" of four young men from the Summerville facility, and as a local resident, I have some questions that I hope you can answer.

1. Are there any plans for a more secure fence to be installed?

2. Are there any plans for a way of cooperating with local police to allow a reverse 911 notification of local residents when elopements happen?

3. Have you considered having an open house one day for the local community and press to tour the facilities when the residents aren't present?

4. What are the ages of the residents in the Summerville facility?

5. Is the Summerville facility considered, by professional standards, a
"secure" facility?


Respectfully,

 

[Glenn]

Here is a copy of my email, with my identifying information deleted:

To: marketing@palmettobehavioralhealth.net
Subject: Palmetto Lowcountry Behavioral Health, Summerville

To Whom It May Concern,

In reference to the recent "elopement" of four young men from the Summerville facility, and as a local resident, I have some questions that I hope you can answer.

1. Are there any plans for a more secure fence to be installed?

2. Are there any plans for a way of cooperating with local police to allow a reverse 911 notification of local residents when elopements happen?

3. Have you considered having an open house one day for the local community and press to tour the facilities when the residents aren't present?

4. What are the ages of the residents in the Summerville facility?

5. Is the Summerville facility considered, by professional standards, a
"secure" facility?


Respectfully,

1, 2, and 3 they probably can't be answered because they need to analyze information. Not enough time has passed.

 

[jillio]

1, 2, and 3 they probably can't be answered because they need to analyze information. Not enough time has passed.

Not only that, but some of the requests would violate confidentiality.

I would say that decisions regarding treatment evironment are best left to those qualified to make decisions regarding treatment environment. Our mental health system would be a huge mess if the general public were permitted to dictate these matters.