"Absolutely useless!"

my brother has had a recent history of a severe mental health disorder. After refusing any treatment he was then taken in by the police after doing a runner from hospital after his 3rd suicide attempt. The mental health team assessed him at the police station and were going to section him. In the end, he went in voluntarily, but we were assured that although voluntary, he would be detained if he attempted to leave.

In spite of all of the issues he’s had over the last few months and failings from all of the local mental health teams, we thought he might finally start to get the help he needed. God were we wrong. He was admitted on the Samphire ward and despite a number of calls from disgraced friends and family who were worried about, not only his well-being, but the well-being of anyone else he might be with, they declared there was absolutely nothing wrong with him, he didn’t need any treatment, was no risk, and could go home. So, despite all friends and family refusing to take him in as he needed the help, they discharged him and let him get in a taxi back to Tunbridge Wells.

I have no idea how this story is going to conclude. My mum is at home and I’m sitting here useless in Maidstone unable to do anything and just hoping that the police can get there in time to prevent him getting in. She’s absolutely terrified of what he might do, after an abusive conversation from him earlier on in the day. It’s also important to add that, the day of his suicide attempt, he’d lost his temper with her and taken a golf club to his room.

This isn’t the first episode he has had, but in the past, he’s been treated. This time, they’ve ignored all of the concerns of friends and family and just put someone who is a danger to himself and others back on the street with absolutely no care or plan whatsoever.

What an absolute disgrace. You should all be ashamed of yourselves! If anything happens, on your head be it!!