How to commit a family member.

[ScoutFinch]

Hi all,

 Just wondering if anyone is able to offer up some advice for how to commit a family member in Victoria. 

I have tried by calling the CAT team but they were of no assistance and stopped providing me with updates. 

I have a family member who is very depressed and only now just realises this. She has also been suffering from alcoholism and I believe psychosis for some time. I have attempted to help, as have other family members since becoming aware of this, as for many years I was too young to identify the issues. 

 She has herself said she may need to go away but never follows through with it. She had a family member removed from her care which has made the situation worse but I believe she has been suffering since a teen - she is now in her 50's. 

I myself suffer from anxiety (a lot of which my psychologist believes was caused by this family member). I have run out of options as I can't help her anymore and she won't help herself. It leads to her yelling and screaming nearly everytime I talk to her, and as horrible as it sounds makes me not want to be around her as it always leads to the same stuff. 

Can anyone recommend avenues I could take to have her committed without the CAT team involvement as unfortunately they have not proven to be a resource I can rely on. 

 Thanks in advance. 

[pipsy]

Dear ScoutFinch.  Does your relative have a regular G.P/psychiatrist?  Perhaps you should contact her G.P/psych and discuss with them about having her treated.  Not sure about the mental health system in Victoria.  All I can suggest is talking to her G.P about what's happening and see if you can get some help there.  Maybe your psychologist can discuss with G.P.  The psych could explain how this is affecting your health. 

Sorry I can't be more help.  Perhaps you've already tried what I've suggested.  Getting someone 'committed' I think is not as easy as it used to be. 

[Paul]

Hi ScoutFinch,

There are some mental health triage services that lead to state assistance and hospital care, these seem to be based on assessment and criteria.

I found this information on www.health.vic.gov.au/meltalhealthservices

As Pipsy mentioned, it may be better to access these services through a GP or Psychologist or Psychiatrist.

My observation is that there's a tendency to institutionalise people far less and encourage integrated assistance from the community (Dr, Psych, Psychiatrist, Counsellor) unless the patient is at risk of harming themselves or someone else or is unnecessarily disruptive.

Paul

[ScoutFinch]

Thank-you both for your suggestions. She does have a GP but it's a fairly new GP as she wasn't happy with her previous one. She has seen a psychologist once but I wouldn't have any idea of their details. 

 I will look on the link provided to see if that can shed any light. 

 Thanks again 🙂

[pipsy]

Hi there.  Just a thought.  Have a talk with her new G.P about maybe having her housed in a share-house situation.  Where I live, (S.E Qld) just down the road there is a share-house with at least 3 (possibly more) women who can't live alone but can't live with family because of mental health issues.  I don't know quite how it works (never having had to look into it), but they live with carers.  They have a certain amount of responsibility like cooking (simple meals), keeping their rooms clean etc.  These ones down the road have a Dr who visits them on a Sunday about once every 3 to 4 weeks to reassess them.  Maybe ask new G.P to get details from other G.P, this way new G.P would have a clearer idea.  I think it's like a 'half way' house situation.  My previous husband (now deceased) lived in one in N.Z.  Maybe contact mental health (not CAT) in Victoria.   She wouldn't be in a co-ed situation, it would be strictly women.  I wouldn't ring a hospital, I would first contact G.P.