Our 10 year old who is diagnosed with ASD, RAD, anxiety and mood disorder has been in our local CAMHS (child and adolescent mental health) unit for 8 weeks due to attempted overdose. He has many issues and is very unwell. We tried to have him home on leave for Easter and he tried to burn our house down with the intent of killing us all. He was sectioned over the weekend making him currently involuntary. No one we have spoken to has even heard of a 10 year old being sectioned under the mental health act. He has had to be sedated many times.
Does anyone know of any residential long term therapeutic care facilities that would take a 10 year old preferably in NSW?
We will be talking with the doctors today after the long weekend but trying to find as much information as we can.
9 Replies
That must not be easy for you . Theres a nsw website on mental health WWW.mentalhealth.asn.au and theres a phone number mental health info service 1300 794 991 perhaps if they dont have the right information they can point you in the right direction. Theres also au.reachout.com.
Thank you so much! I looked on the website and can't find anything but a person from that helpline is looking for me and calling me back soon.
If u call crisis care, google numbsr one is for mental heath they can provide all the services in ur area I wish u luck, none of this would or is easy.
Thanks I've had a look but it seems to be for WA and we are NSW. Is there one for nsw?
I had a look n found these numvers at lesr one should be able to help or pass u obto those who can.
Nsw mental health cris care. 1800199008
Mental health line, for all states.
1800011511
No. I don't know of any long term facilities that take on a child who wouldn't primarily be filled with much older people. I read an article recently from the families of children who are unwell like your son, there is a support group and I am sure they can help you further.
Edit. I tried looking for the name of the support group but I can't find it, anonymity is pretty important as you can imagine. I will however have a search around and see if I can find anything for you.
Thank you all for your responses. The hospital does not believe residential is suitable so he is going into foster care. It has to be this way while he is such a danger to himself and us. Devastated.
*hug*
I'm not sure if any of this will still be of use or perhaps someone else may find this information useful. It was sent to me last night in response to a query I sent out when I first saw this question.
The most important thing is that you need to know you are not alone and the following will help as they have all been there.
There are several support groups on facebook, the two that are listed are the most highly recommended.
Reactive Attachment Disorder Moms: https://www.facebook.com/groups/RADmoms/
Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD): https://www.facebook.com/groups/72618670936/
Christine Moers also comes highly recommended, she has blogs and a facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/TherapeuticParentCoaching
http://www.welcometomybrain.net/
http://christineparentcoaching.com/
Nancy Thomas has a couple of books called 'When Love is Not Enough' and 'Dandelion on My Pilliow, Butcher Knife Beneath'.
I hope this is useful.