If people had the slightest clue to just how inadequate many state and local mental health services are, they would be outraged.
Six months before AY killed her children, I was dealing with severe PPD, but I wasn't pychotic. I can't and don't want to explain what I was going through but I was so tormented that I drove to the police station to turn myself in even though I hadn't committed any crime.
I was driven to a local hospital and dumped among the drunks and crack addicts (after they removed my shoe strings). A doctor came in, asked a few questions and told me that my problem was a lack of communication. Less than 12 hours later, I was released from the hospital on my own. My family was never contacted...I was literally dumped on the streets.
My story has a happy ending, though. I got appropriate medical help once MY husband came downtown and picked me up in the hospital lobby.
I told that doctor (and the police) that I was afraid I would kill myself and hurt my children. They were so concerned...they locked me in a room with drunks and released me a few hours later.
That, my friends, is quality "state run" mental healthy care in this country!
Wooooooooow...
I'm so glad that your story had a happy ending. How did you come around?
Sad. I would bet they thought "She thinks she is mentally unstable, so, of course, that means she is sane. The really crazy ones never think they are crazy".
Glad you two sought out help.