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Senator Wants Faster, Public Answers from Mental Health InstitutionsSenator Bettye Davis is sponsoring a bill meant to give a voice to mental patients.Related Content
ANCHORAGE - The Alaska Psychiatric Institute (API) is the state’s largest psychiatric facility and most of the people who spend time there don’t check-in voluntarily. So if a patient has a problem with their treatment, how do they know that someone is listening? “If there’s a problem we are on it within eight hours,” said API CEO Ron Alder. “I can’t tell you how proud I am of that.” But others want more information, like Senator Bettye Davis. “They might seem to think what they are doing at API is working, but it’s internal not for the public to know what’s going on and many people who have mental problems are not even able to speak for themselves.” Davis is sponsoring a bill meant to give a voice to mental patients. At an Anchorage hearing, on Tuesday, one woman testified it’s about time. “People are complaining, but the complaints aren’t going far,” said former patient Faith Myers. “Not ever recorded and no written response no paper trail,” said Myers. ”Sometimes people are not even told they have the right to complain.” The bill would require that every psychiatric facility in the state both public and private have the same grievance procedure. People with complaints could get help filing them from an outside agency and they could expect a written response with a certain number of days. Psychiatric facilities would also have to be more accountable to the public about the types of complaints that have been filed as well how they were resolved. Senate Bill 55 has been before the legislature before, but has never advanced for a vote. Davis hopes this time around will be different. |
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martin tisdale said on Wednesday, Aug 22 at 2:04 PM
My recent experience at API is perhaps different from what others may feel or have experienced but I found the people that worked there to be very caring, helpful, and understanding. They gave me what I needed and they did have a complaint person that could be contacted and even had the information on a handout on the wall. They helped me to help myself when I was suidical. They are my heros and I can't say enough about them or the love I feel towards them (Katmai unit, love ya, lol). I understand what others are saying though and maybe more attention could be a good thing because mental illness is a big problem that affects lots of people. Also my thanks to Brother Williams who comes in to API on Sunday and gives a very nice church service.
99728616Crystal D Choate said on Wednesday, Aug 22 at 12:03 PM
In Kenai/Soldotna our behaviour health center has ignored patients rights (especially confidentiality) for 15 years that I know of in my experience. Our grievance proceedure is to QUIT going to the center( or they kick you out). Independence is not what they promote. It is not just the big API that is scary, local help is people die. Peer support is the answer.life saving work is needed.
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