What if the mental health of a person I am supported is deteriorating and/or experiencing or approaching a mental health crisis and the person is refusing to see mental health services? There are three options to consider.
- You could ask the person whether there is someone they are comfortable talking to about options e.g. a GP, a friend or family member or support service. You could offer to help make contact with the identified person. or
- You could phone Access Mental Health on 1800 629 354 or 02 6205 1065 to determine the urgency of the situation. or
- You could make an application to the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal for an assessment order.
What can I expect when I phone Access Mental Health?
While the mental health clinician who takes your call cannot give you any private and confidential health information about the person, the clinician will want to hear from you about what is happening. The clinician will ask you a series of questions aimed at determining:
- Whether the person you are calling about is likely to be experiencing a mental illness or mental disorder;
- How acute or serious the person’s condition is;
- Whether the person is at risk of serious harm or whether another person is at risk of serious harm;
- Whether the person requires assessment and treatment and if so, how quickly.
What can I expect when my family members are admitted to the Adult Mental Health Unit (AMHU) at Canberra Hospital?
Each person has their own single bedroom with a private bathroom. While a person can bring their mobile phone it is up to the treating staff to determine if it can be used. There is a ward phone that can be used for making and receiving calls. Each person has a treating team that comprises a Consultant Psychiatrist and Registrar, Registered Nurse, Psychologist, Social Worker, Occupational Therapists and a number of others. A Consumer Peer Worker/Consultant is also available to provide support and to assist with navigating treatment and services. During the day there is a mix of individual and group activities and programs. It is requirement that Planning for a person’s discharge begins as soon as possible after admission. This is so each person is well prepared to return to the community with appropriate supports in place. Check in with your family member and encourage them to find out as the end of their stay approaches things like:
- instructions about medication dosages
- side effects and possible interactions with
- other medications, including over the counter and complementary medicines
- any follow up appointments
- any information for family or carers
- who to call in an emergency or for advice.
For more information you might like to read ‘Welcome to the Adult Mental Health Unit’
Can I visit a family member or friend admitted to the Adult Mental Health Unit (AMHU) at Canberra Hospital?
Yes. It is important for a person’s recovery that connection is maintained. To find out about visiting hours and for other information, family and friends are welcome to call AMHU on 02 6174 5454 between 10am and 8pm, seven days per week.
Please confirm with staff prior to your visit if you plan to bring children to AMHU. Children must be supervised at all times. Family friendly spaces with toys are available.
Please note that only 2 visitors at a times are allowed in the High Dependency Unit. People under 16 are not permitted in this part of the AMHU.
Carer clinicians and social workers are available to speak with family and carers.
Can I receive information from the mental health clinician of the person I am caring for?
Mental health clinicians want to work with family members and carers. They understand that families and carers need information about their relative or friend’s treatment. Clinicians also understand that appropriate information can assist families and carers to play a vital role in supporting the recovery of their loved one. Clinicians due to privacy requirements may not be able to discuss some of the issues affecting your relative or friend. This will occur if your relative or friend does not give consent for release of their information to you. This situation changes in the event that your relative or friend is receiving services under the Mental Health Act, and you are either a Nominated Person or a carer (see Carers and Decision making under the Mental Health Act). There is a range of information about treatment and care and decisions that you are entitled to. You are also entitled to be asked your views and have those views considered.
If you are not either of these, but are in a close personal relationship with the person, you can still discuss your concerns with the clinician who will listen and talk with you without breaching confidentiality. You can provide valuable information to help the mental health clinicians to better care for your loved one. The clinician can help you with general information about ways to support your loved one.
If you are having issues getting information, you can ask to be referred to a Family and Carer Clinician for assistance or contact them directly at familycarerclinicians@act.gov.au.
What can I expect if the person I am supporting is admitted to the Adult Mental Health Unit under the Mental Health Act?
Though it depends on how a person is admitted, in situations where a person is admitted through emergency detention provisions of the Mental Health Act assessment and treatment will occur. A doctor at a mental health facility can authorise emergency detention for no longer than three days. During the three-day period, the Chief Psychiatrist (or their delegate) may apply to the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal (ACAT) for an extension of the period of detention for a maximum of a further 11 days. The person you are supporting can apply for a review of emergency detention, in which case ACAT must conduct a review within two working days.
What can I expect if the person I am supporting is to have an ACAT hearing?
A mental health hearing at ACAT is like a meeting. Th hearing usually lasts between 30 minutes and one hour. If the situation is complex, it may take longer. Hearings are held in a few different locations, including at:
- ACAT
- the Canberra Hospital (Adult Mental Health Unit)
- Calvary Hospital (Older Person’s Mental Health Unit)
The person you are supporting will receive a notice from ACAT with details about where an when the hearing will be. The Tribunal can organise an interpreter if required. It is important you encourage the person you are supporting to attend the hearing and to give his or her views. A lawyer can also assist. If a person cannot attend their hearing in person, it is possible to attend by phone.
ACAT mental health hearings are private. There will usually be three ACAT Members, including a:
- presidential member
- psychiatric member and
- a community member.
In some cases, there may only be two ACAT Members. The person whose hearing it is, can object to other people attending.
At the hearing, views about a mental health order can be made both verbally and in writing. ACAT will decide at the hearing whether or not to make an order.
Can I attend an ACAT hearing?
If you are a nominated person you will be able to attend the hearing to support the your loved one to put his or her views. You are entitled to be consulted and have your views considered.
If you are a carer you are entitled to be informed by the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal (ACAT) that a hearing is to be held concerning the person you support. You are entitled to make a submission to the ACAT for consideration at the hearing and to apply to the ACAT to attend the hearing.
What can I expect if discharge is approaching?
It is requirement that planning for a person’s discharge begins as soon as possible after admission. It is important to check in with the treating team and the person you are supporting about whether discharge planning is occurring. Encourage the person you are supporting to find out as the end of their stay approaches things like:
- instructions about medication dosages
- side effects and possible interactions with
- other medications, including over the counter and complementary medicines
- any follow up appointments
- any information for family or carers
- who to call in an emergency or for advice.
The assistance of the Family and Carer Clinician/Peer Support Worker/Consumer Consultant can also be sought.
What support can I expect following discharge?
The person you are supporting if often followed up by a clinician from the local community health team. The person might also have been put in touch with a mental health community organisation and/or a disability support agency. It is important that the person you are supporting also has an appointment scheduled with her/his GP. Following discharge and as the person recovers, it is a good time to have discussions about Advance Agreements and Advance Consent Directions (see Carers and Decision making under the Mental Health Act).