To feel my young cousin being admitted to an adult mental health unit

[Living6767]

Is a disgrace. She’s 17 not 18 for another three months. She’s still in school. They have this morning admitted her to adult mental health unit. Surely this is a safeguarding issue?

Shell have staff member with her at all times.

Poor love, that must be really scary for her. I really agree with PP who said there really should be a service for young people, late teens to early 20s or something. I think I would be upset too but there is such a massive shortage of beds, anywhere. I really hope everything works out. to her and you and your family x

I feel like there should be a young adult facility - surely it’s not right that a 17 year old can be in with 7 year olds or 50 year olds.

There are very strict guidelines for adolescents being admitted to ‘adult wards’ and processes that will be required to be followed such as having her own room, possible constant onset etc to ensure safety and well-being. There may be many reasons this decision was made, lack of beds, not all areas even have adolescent units so it may have required out of area transfer, currently covid is causing issues, if wards have outbreaks then there is significant impact on beds etc. Maybe she was too much of a risk to herself or others for an adolescent ward. The fact she required hospital admission suggests she is unwell and is in the best place to get the help and support she needs.

It’s quite common given she’s so close to 18. Mental health admissions can be very scary, whatever age. Hopefully she had family to remain in contact with?

She is in the best place for her OP.

The trust I work for accepts 16 and upwards into its adult services, it's to cover the cross over from camhs. As she's so close to 18 they've opted for adults service to stop the whole " being kicked out of child services at 18", I'd say their trying I make the cross over easier for her as in a few months child services won't see her. X

Could it be that if her stay is going to be longer than three months theyvthink its better to have her in one place than moving her once settled? Rough times. Hope she gets the help she needs.

Poor thing, I guess they didn’t have a CAHMs bed available. We have a national shortage of MH beds.

The adult ward I worked on had lots of 18 year olds so she’s unlikely to be the only teenager.

It is not easy to get admittance for mental health

This is absolutely not my experience at all. There are a few phrases that will get you admitted straight away. I appreciate that it may vary from place to place.