The parents of a 29-year-old man living with severe mental health problems have now launched a petition to have him treated outside the Southern Trust as concerns for his wellbeing continue to mount.
The husband and wife team from Craigavon spoke to Armagh I in July about concerns surrounding their son’s care – or indeed – what they deem to be a lack thereof.
They have supported their son’s journey for a period of approximately nine years. According to them, he had enjoyed a period of relative stability up until recent months when his diagnosis was amended and his medication subsequently withdrawn.
Related: ‘We’re waiting on police saying he’s dead’ say parents of Craigavon man in ‘crisis’
Today, they say they find themselves in a ‘constant battle’ with mental health services, fearing for their son’s life, for their own wellbeing and the wellbeing of others.
They say he has now thrown away all of his own clothes, belongings and food; living in a barren apartment and is completely avoiding attending medical appointments.
In a desperate bid to find a solution for their son and others like him, they have now created a Facebook group known as ‘Mental health services northern Ireland are failing us all’ and launched a petition for their son to be treated outside of The Southern Trust.
Speaking to Armagh I, his father said: “We are trying to raise awareness and so we set up the page. A lot of people are messaging us and are in the same position. It’s unbelievable how many people are being failed. The more people I can get to sign the petition the more people are being made aware. It all helps; just anything, absolutely anything to help.
“They will wait until our son is dead and say ‘Aw, it’s just an unfortunate loss of life’.
The petition states: Our son has been detained ten times in less than four months by numerous doctors and approved social workers, who agree he is lacking capacity. Each time he gets admitted to Bluestone unit Craigavon and is constantly discharged without any medical intervention or support outside of hospital. He is extremely unwell.
“This began recently as his new consultant changed his diagnosis to personality disorder and told us if he does anything outside of hospital it would be a criminal matter. Our Son has never been in any trouble with the police so we our shocked that he could even think such a thing.
“Our son in no way has any symptoms associated with personality disorder. We believe his diagnosis was changed to Personality Disorder as it is not covered by the mental health act Northern Ireland, therefore meaning he wouldn’t require treatment. Our son’s previous diagnosis was bipolar disorder, which took 2/3 years of consideration by his previous consultant to decide.
“Bipolar disorder fits our son’s symptoms. He was put on Lithium for the first time, it was amazing. Stephen was able to be himself and even completed a masters degree and was in a very happy place.
“The new consultant has taken him off lithium, stating he believes it was only a placebo effect and it had no actual benefit. His entire personality and life has took a steep downward turn ever since. He is completely unable to take care of himself and is very unstable.
“We believe our son should be allowed to go to another mental health facility outside the Southern trust to be given proper treatment. The longer he goes without proper treatment, the worse his condition will get.”
At the time of writing the petition has garnered over 800 signatures of the 1000 needed.
The pair are hopeful that the petition, once fully signed, will result in action being taken. However, despite feeling that they have exhausted all other options, his father finished by saying simply, “We won’t give up.”
You can sign the petition here
