{"id":169146,"date":"2023-02-19T15:08:37","date_gmt":"2023-02-19T19:08:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/?p=169146"},"modified":"2023-02-20T09:47:36","modified_gmt":"2023-02-20T13:47:36","slug":"urgent-action-needed-to-solve-mental-health-crisis-in-antigua-and-barbuda","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/urgent-action-needed-to-solve-mental-health-crisis-in-antigua-and-barbuda\/","title":{"rendered":"Urgent Action needed to solve Mental Health Crisis in Antigua and Barbuda"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a><\/div>
\"\"<\/a><\/div>

Over the last few days, I have been following the developments surrounding Claudene Moore and her declining mental health which led to a public episode on Old Parham Road on Saturday.<\/p>

\"\"<\/a><\/div>\n

According to reports, she was taken to the Sir Lester Bird Medical Center where she was restrained and medicated but subsequently escaped the Hospital and had to be located by her family.<\/p>\n

Several attempts were made by family and advocates to get answers as to why this was allowed to happen and they have still not received an acceptable explanation. This is not the first time that this has happened to a patient who had been restrained.<\/p>

\"\"<\/a><\/div>
\"\"<\/a><\/div>\n

Therefore, I am adding my voice to that of Mary John, who has been assisting this family and many others and calling for an investigation into this matter.<\/p>

\"\"<\/a><\/div>\n

This news is very troubling not only because this is someone who is personally known to me but because of the multiple layers of bureaucracy that a patient has to endure to receive proper mental health care.<\/p>\n

While procedure is necessary, it must also be efficient and accessible. Our current intake and referral pathway for Clarevue Psychiatric is outdated and in many cases, prohibitive. The blood work and other medical clearances that must be done are not always readily available at the hospital and can fall in the range of $500 or more at private labs.<\/p>

\"\"<\/a><\/div>\n

In addition to this, the internal politics that exists at the lone Psychiatric Hospital and by extension, the substantive Ministry plays a large part in the systemic issues that plague our mental health system.<\/p>\n

To solve these problems in the short term:<\/p>

\"\"<\/a><\/div>\n