Failed By our Mental Health system. Redbridge, Goodmayes, Barley Lane, &. Essex. Our Families. Families Sticking Together

As I sit here to write this blog. It is a hot sunny day on a Saturday afternoon on the17th of June at about 5-30 pm.My son Paul is sitting on a bench outside the parade of shops in Manford way, Hainault Essex. Surrounded by 4 policemen whom are there ready to section him into Goodmayes Mental Hospital in Barley Lane Goodmayes for the 5th time in nearly 3yrs. As the police approach him, Paul ran off across the road and they chased him pinning down with his arms behind his back as they escorted him back to their van, which was parked outside the shops, I must stress they were really good with him. Paul's eyes were so glazed and bulging that my heart melted for him. As, all of the onlookers from the shops, and pavements, looked on at him. Why do they leave them so long so unwell and needing help. I had never seen his eyes like that before he didn't even recognize me. How scary,  intimidating and humiliating, is that for him, and us as parents to have to encounter Sectioning. In spite of all the pleas from me to to help him or reamitt him before Sectioning Occurs. But No. l was lucky on that Saturday afternoon, after calling Paul's Care Co-ordinater Lee, from the North Team, on Friday afternoon to see what day they were arranging for Paul to be sectioned in the week that followed, Lee told me it would be on the Tuesday. I have always attended Paul's Sectioning every time, even all those years ago, and thank goodness that I did. Also, I had  been waiting 5 weeks for them to notify me. But Lee informed me Paul had been verbally abusive to his neighbours Thank goodness I called Lee on Friday, Otherwise I'd never of known. So on Saturday morning I went to his Bungalow to see him, Paul wasn't opening his door to anyone by now. Although I had been going over often to look through this window terrified of what he could be getting up to each day that passed.

Paul wasn't in there So, I sat in my car as the sun beat down. I started to write a letter to Paul's next door neighbour, telling her if it is you that Paul has been verbally abusive to, I am so sorry. I had previously warned her that Paul had been left in there untreated for to long. That he would never hurt her. But that is of no consequence to having Paul next door to her. I wrote my phone number down for her to call me. As I was finishing the letter. 2 police vans and Ambulance pulled up behind me. Oooh.! I guessed it would be for Paul, as I got out of my car to talk with them they informed me that it was her that Paul had been abusive to. That if they could get him whilst he was outside they could Section him, but if inside still, they couldn't. So on entering his Bungalow Paul was out. They asked me if I knew where he could be.I told them he normally went to the shops and sat on the seat outside the shops. I wanted them to Section him, just so that he wasn't left in that Bungalow any longer. I felt like a traitor

 But it would be better for him. So, I drove down to the shops to see if he was there. There he was sitting there miles away. I went back to tell them Paul was there. So this is where I started our blog. After the Police put Paul into the Van I was so sorry for him the embarrassment of it all. He is so lovely when he is well. and for people to see him like that is horrible for them. After taking him to Goodmayes Mental Hospital. I made my way home. Feeling deflated for him, but so happy at last, he would be safe. At last, I can breathe again until the next time, because,  I am sure it won't be far away again. Then, it will be my  responsibility again. Normally Paul would be more of a danger to himself than others. But, that is the conditions of sectioning under the Mental Health Act. That, they have to be a danger to themselves, or the Public, before they are Sectioned, an Hurrendous situation for families, Also, the Clients. The Mental Health Act. surely needs amending.  To myself, it is really cruel. To be leaving A Human Being for so long Mentally unwell. what will happen the next time he is sent out far to early. In the past 3yrs, I've come to realise Paul is now in his 50's, and is badly in need to go into Assisted living. He clearly isn't coping very well with every day tasks of living on his own anymore. That will be another task ahead of us. There is so much more I could  talk about. Now hopefully, I would love for us to  share our stories together. As we walk that difficult road ahead of us. With Mental Health effecting anyone of our families. I am going to sign off for now, thankyou. I will look Forward to talking again. Bless.