We are three women with over 30 years of experience with children and adolescents who have mental health issues.
We have witnessed the effects on children and their families waiting for hours and sometimes days in the emergency room waiting for an inpatient psychiatric bed. The child is confined to a small room or on a stretcher. There are limited diversionary activities provided by the nursing or child life specialist staff. There is no ongoing therapy and little family support except for an initial psychiatric assessment and possible medications.
With the proposed closing of Providence Hospital Psychiatric Unit this will lead those who need inpatient hospitalization to mental health facilities in Vermont, Connecticut, or Eastern Massachusetts. The distance will limit family involvement in their child’s care due to limited financial resources, lack of transportation, employment responsibilities and childcare for their other children.
The above problems have occurred even with Providence accepting patients. Baystate health intends to build a psychiatric inpatient facility for adults and children. However, services will not be available for two years.
If Providence closes their child/adolescent psychiatric unit, the delay in care for children with mental health issues will intensify. Hopefully, Trinity Heath will reconsider their decision to close.
Patricia Rogowsk, APRN
Julie Powers, RN, MSN
Barbara Brody, LICSW