Can I get some advice on a medical issue? *MNHQ adding that this is child MH related and urgent*

[Bananafromheaven]

My 17 year old daughter is actively suicidal. She has hallucinations and they are making her incredibly anxious and she cannot cope any longer. In addition she has separate neurological symptoms we think might be related to migraines with aura.

We brought her to A&E in Ireland where they wanted to admit her. She had preliminary examination, bloods, urine and a CT scan. She needs an MRI and a psych evaluation.

There were people there who had sat on chairs for 48 hours waiting to be admitted and she was becoming increasingly distressed. I spoke to a really lovely nurse who said they had 161 patients in A+E and 30 waiting for beds which did not exist in the wards my DD had dropped from the 2nd person waiting on a bed to the 17th. She could not estimate how long it would be but she didn’t think that it was impossible that she would be waiting all night at a minimum.

We had been waiting 15 hours already and it was nearly 11 o’clock at night so I decided to just take her home. For context there were other incredibly ill and vulnerable patients in the same circumstances and staff were all really lovely and clearly overwhelmed. This is a system problem that I certainly cannot fix.

Understanding that A+E is no longer an option because it would be the same experience what do I need to do next?

Oh Banana, how distressing. We are moving this thread to a board where you are likely to encounter people with more insight and bumping this thread back up the queue in the hope that someone good comes along with advice now.

Does she have a crisis team you can call

This is good advice. In my area sometimes the GP has to make the referral to the Mental Health Team. I would definitely follow up with the GP, and Crisis Team.

I am so sorry you are both going through this. Is her GP already aware?
I don't know how it is where you are, but I have (in England) used helplines (both call and text) when concerned about a friend. They can't solve everything but may be able to point you in the right direction.

In my area CAMHS have a helpline parents can call and they give advice on what to do - I work in a school and direct parents to the helpline on a fairly regular basis. In my experience, they may suggest a return to A&E but as your daughter is at the upper end of the age they work with, they may have other suggestions.

I'm in Ireland also, and work in mental health (although for adults). So sorry you find yourself in this situation.

Ultimately, you probably need to wait it out in A&E for her to be seen. If she is actively suicidal, anywhere else will likely continue to refer her back to A&E until she is assessed.

I'm not sure where in Ireland you are, but if there is a different A&E you could try, it might be quieter.

If you have private health insurance, in patient somewhere like St. Pat's might be worth looking into.

Meanwhile, Pieta House helpline might be worth a call for advice.

Thank you so much for advice. We are redoing A+E they have been really kind and understanding about us needing to leave.

Apparently we are not alone there is a massive overcrowding problem across the country this week.

Thanks again everyone.

I hope things go okay for you this time OP 💐
I am also in Ireland with an older teen with MH issues so I empathise. I hope things improve for your daughter and you all soon.

Thank you so much.

This has literally only come to light as she went for some physio and the physio was concerned about the neurological stuff. Then she also brought up the hallucinations which have apparently being plaguing her and leading to suicidal ideation. We are all blindsided especially obviously my DD.

It is also such a pain that over 16s are in adult A+E but in patient psych services are strictly over 18.

Best of luck, I think you are doing the right thing returning to A&E if she is currently at risk.

Mind yourself, it's a scary time but it sounds like she is in the right place.

Yes, the gap in care for 17 year olds in this country is shocking.