Suicidal and no help??

Question

I know somebody up in NJ who is in her 50's, and tried committing suicide twice. The first time was trying to slit her rists but failed, and was put on meds to help. The second time was recent, and she tried jumping into the Hudson River but kept afloat so yet again, it failed. After this recent attempt, she wasn't immediately put into care. She was able to work for a few days, and when she went to the doctor...they admitted her to a hospital. What I found strange though is that she only spent 2 days there, and was released. This lady lives with my dad who is in his 60's, is back in the public again and she could have the same thoughts.....we dont think she got any proper help. How is this so? If someone jumped into a river to commit suicide, shouldn't they have more help than just some pills?

Answer 1

Bring her to a church, a close one.  Let her sign up for a ministry.  She needs to get the focus off of herself and into helping others, she will then find value in herself and her life.

Answer 2

You can call the police and get help.  

Answer 3

Do a flip next time!!! lol nah jp

But yea she should be put into an insanity facility

Answer 4

even with insurance its hard to get people the right care if they don't want it and even at that our mental health care system is full of idiots called professionals that are there just for the money and benefits.the entire health community is failing our gov't is failing we are failing. yes there should be something more than pills, follow up therapy blood work constant or frequent inneraction ... but then again you can't help someone who won't ask for it.

Answer 5

Dear Daniel O - My heart goes out to this lady and those around her, because I have suffered from mental illness for the past 5 years. However, I am stable now through excellent care from a psychiatrist who closely monitors my medications. The answer to your question, how the hospital could release her after only being there a couple of days simply boils down to money and the healthcare system. Insurance companies, depending on the state in which you live will only pay for a 3-day stay. So, the hospital will usually release you on the 2nd or 3rd day. With any insurance, mental health benefits are limited and very poor, sadly because patients are in severe need. There life depends on it. And, if one does not have insurance, it definitely is a money issue with the hospital. Her suicide attempts will stop if she is receiving proper medication treatment. Please, have someone take her to a private psychiatrist. Let the doctor evaluate her and prescribe medication. It is of utmost importance, she takes her meds. daily and as prescribed or she will not feel better. This is extremely important. The next most, most important thing is for her to discuss with the doctor in upcoming visits how she is feeling. The doctor may see the need to readjust her meds. or change them. She must communicate with him, being honest. Some meds. may work for some, but not for her. Our bodies are different. This is the period where it will take time for her to not want to think about or committ suicide - medication trial and adjustment. I am sorry that there is so much to read, but really want to help. I was so saddened to read about her story. I have been there. I hope I have helped and I hope she gets better soon. I promise you, recovery is possible. One more thing, I am not sure if it is available in NJ, but go on-line and pull up www.NAMI.org. It stands for National Alliance for Mental Illness. They are nationwide. It is a wonderful non-profit organization that provides very good support to those suffering and to those who are living with a person who has mental illness. She may benefit and I know your dad has a difficult time living with her because of her illness. He would find some relief and support on how to deal with her situations. I hope this information also helps. Bless all of you.

Answer 6

There's America's ignorance at it's best.

Get her professional help yourself, don't wait around for some hospital to take action because as you have learned, they'll do nothing helpful.

Answer 7

They can only keep you under observation for so long, and if you don't appear to be a risk to yourself they need to open up the bed for someone else.

She needs to take the initative to admit herself into treatment...and it will cost $$$$$.

Answer 8

To right she should have help, i work in Psych hospital in england and if anyone did what your friend did they would spend more than two days in hospital, we have suicidal patients who need continuous obs to make sure they dont harm themselves, there is also the therapy along with the use of medication and counselling. You must insist that your local health authority do something before its to late, in the mean time give your friend all the help she needs, but dont try and force her into anything as she needs to be the one who makes the final decision to get help, is she is deemd to be mentally unstable at any point then she can be taken into hospital against her will, if your in america then i guess your mental health act is very different from ours. The trouble is that people who are suicidal often dont want help and believe it or not they can sometimes come accross as being very happy to other people prior to taking their own lives this is to mask there feelings and make other people think that they are absolutly fine, some are just happy that they will die and be free from an unhappy existance, its a sad fact. Get straight onto your local health authority and insist she has some help.Good luck

Answer 9

tell her to get a theropist..(not sure how to spell it) :D

Answer 10

well since shes an adult this is difficult, she can refuse treatment which is what makes it so hard, as someone who cares about her, the only thing you can do is try to speak with her, tell her you really want her to see someone weekly, and get the issues resolved. remind her that if she takes her life, all the things she will also take from yours and your fathers, and in the worst possible case, speak with a laywer, if you are really concerned she will kill herself, ask them about what it would take to deem her legaly unable to care for herself at that moment so either you or your father can have her admitted wether she likes it or not, but trust me, she will be resentful and it should be your last resort.

good luck

Answer 11

its a shame really, doctors and hospitals havent got a clue any more thats if they ever did. she should have some counselling  

Answer 12

Just let the woman kill herself! Stop being a selfish b*****d! It's not your life, who knows what she's going trough!

Answer 13

Absolutely. The mental health faculties all over the world are absolutely horrendous these days. Unfortunately the government/s dont have the kind of funding needed in order to save lives, whether it be by suicide or homocide or hospital care.

I have been through the same kind of thing myself, being suicidal and not getting any help at all from stupid psychiatrists and doctors who think all i need are anti-depressants - which side effects include suicidal thought or ideation.

It makes no sense.

I hope this woman does get some help - maybe you could do some research for her and see if anyone will take her into hospital or have three counseling or therapy?