Are we doing all we can do? A family member is incarerated and tried to committ suicide.?

They were off their meds and the jail did not even call us to tell us the person tried to harm their self. When we found out we are putting him back on his meds, but the jail only has medical nurses and mental health only comes in the next 1 1/2 weeks. We want to get a psysatrist from a nearby clinic to come in but the jail hasn't told us if we can do that yet. The person has been put in a cell by his self and they check on him every 20 minutes, which i am worried about. He tried to drown himself in the commode, so is there anything else we should do. I am really worried he is bipolar and when I spoke with him yesterday he is really really confused and scared. HELP

This is a very scary situation, and one that provokes a lot of hopelessness on the part of the people who care for the person. It can be very frustrating getting everythingeverybody coordinated.

I need to say that In my state I live in an option for the person that has attempted suicide, (or otherwise deemed to be a danger to themselves and/or other people) is filing a petition for "Involuntary Committement" with the Court. Under most situations, they will then be placed into a hospital where they will be watched and within 72 hours I believe be evaluated by either a psychologist or psychiatrist. There is also a less restrictive means called a 72 hours hold that a medical person or law enforcement professional can initiate that will have them placed into the hospital for evaluation. In either event, it may get them seen quicker.

In either event, at the end of that time, it will be determined what if any level of care is needed. It can be outpatient, or inpatient services or a combination of both.

However, if the person from the start is deemed to be too dangerous for a regular hospital, they may be jailed or held in a psychiatric facitlity.

This person it sounds like as a regular doctor, you may be able to enlist their help. Do they have a social worker or someone else working with them, then too that person should be contacted for any available help. Does the person have a mental health advocate? The nurses should be able to help as they will be monitoring this person's health status.

If this family member is 18 or older, and their own guardian, I don't believe that Law Enforcement can tell you without the person's permission. If the person is a minor or in the care, custody and control of another person, (such as guardianship) they would probably be the ones that Law Enforcement would call. If the person is older, but judged to be incapable of caring for themselves because of disability, someone can petition the Court to become the individuals guardian and conservator.

I think that it is okay to express your concerns to law enforcement, and to ask them expressly as to the extent that his person is being watched. Usually in situations like this, there are extra precautions taken.

A lot of what happens in your family member's situation may also be determined by what they were incarcerated for. Surely, at this time, some mental health care should be considered, but at what level, I am not sure.

Other than what you are already doing and what I have just said, I really don't know how much more you can be doing other than just supporting the person and keeping close contact with the law officials. If you are dissatisfied, go up the channel of command until someone listens to you. Again, in this State, a person has the right to deny treatment, and even if hospitalized, can refuse to take their medication. It is ultimately an individuals decision to help themselves.

Again, much of what I have said (at least about the legal stuff) is how it is done in this State. It may be different in your's. So, use what you can, and throw away the rest.

Take care. I wish you and your family well.

The facility concerned here needs to be informed of exactly what he needs to be taking and how often in what dosages. This should be presented to them IN WRITING in via Certified Mail if possible. This way, any failure on their part to heed this makes them liable for what happens.

Does he have a lawyer? If so there is something he should be able to do. Does he have a regular doctor that can appea to the jail on his behalf? No facility should deny prisoners necessary health consultation especially when thay are in danger of hurting themselves.

The jail seems like its setting itself up to get itself in some big trouble...