So... Hiiii!
Hello.
Who are you?
I'm Jenasaurus and I'm a 36 year old divorced single parent with PTSD and severe dissociative disorder.
And tonight, Matthew, I'm going to be...
Sorry *puts serious head on*
Benedict Cumberbatch, please be Benedict Cumberbatch...
Oh. Right. Yes. Serious.
So Siriusly speaking, what are your thoughts on Horcruxes?
Siriusly don't think I have any.
Good for you!
Next.a
Why am I doing this interview thing, other than the fact that we both have university work to do?
See, I typoed already.
Because Aaron wanted you to address the Section 136.
I can edit out the typos, it's fine.
Reader request.
Gotta keep the fans happy.
Exactly.
So what is Section 136?
A Section 136 is a police power under the Mental Health Act. It's basically detention in a public place for the safety of yourself and others. Once you are detained the police take you to a place of safety, this can be a designated unit, a hospital or a police station.
So short version: a time-out for grown ups.
A time out for grown-ups in a mental health crisis.
So what are the benefits of it?
A 136 prevents you from harming yourself and others.
That sounds good to me.
In theory it is.
But I'm guessing, like with everything else that works on paper, there are a few... mishaps.
Yes. If your town doesn't have a designated unit, and most don't, you will be taken to hospital. If this happens you will be taken in handcuffs and be under a police escort until you are either admitted or discharged. For someone in a mental health crisis hospital may not be a safe place to go. If the A&E department is busy, the police will take you into custody and hold you in a cell until a duty doctor can come to see you.
Worst case scenario: what is the worst possible thing that could possibly happen ever?
You can be held under a 136 in a place of safety for a maximum of 72 hours. It does not guarantee you won't harm yourself or others and can make a crisis worse. You aren't under arrest but you aren't free to leave either. For some people, being restrained and or locked in a cell can make them feel worse. You also cannot decline any medical intervention.
So it's sounding pretty bad. But are there any success stories?
Yes. Many people are released from a 136 fully recovered from their crisis and are able to carry on their life as normal with some support from, for example, the Community Mental Health Team. But. Being held on a 136 is recorded. The police also have your photo, fingerprints etc. So if they see you out at, for example, a strange time then they will stop you and likely detain you again regardless of whether you are in crisis or just taking a stroll.
Next?
Sorry! Didn't say I had a message.
Naughty Facebook.
So... What can be done about it?
The designated units are fantastic and need to be rolled out to every city and large town. They are staffed by qualified mental health professionals and are an excellent compromise between A&E and a police station.
Yay.
They are too few and far between at the moment. Had there been one in my town my experience of being held under a 136 would have been totally different.
So it's a case of funding?
I think so, it falls in a grey area that doesn't come under the NHS or the police. There is also a lack of understanding from those who aren't mentally ill as to what is and isn't helpful. Consultation with professionals and patients is vital.
Anything the general public can do?
I think the only thing they can do really is to write to their MP, or look at the various online petitions. You'll need to link then. Them. I'll find them.
Yay! I was about to say "But I'm too lazy!"
Not yet, but I will.
Closing thoughts?
There needs to be less fear of people who are mentally ill; we aren't all psychopaths or serial killers.
As closing thoughts go, that is really quite something. "We aren't all psychopaths or serial killers."
Sorry.
Don't be, I like it!
I'm not really.
Good.
We need to get family in there somewhere.
It's the after interview bit! The bits we forgot.
Yes.
So what's first?
"Did you get much support from family and friends after you were held on a 136" type stuff and see where it goes?
Great. So... Did you get much support from family and friends after you were held on a 136? Type. Stuff.
My friends were fantastic. I put it on facebook and got so much support. My cousin might have seen it on my status but I don't know, and I didn't bother to tell my family.
Yay for friends!
I haven't been in touch with my mother since May last year so there was no point telling her. But my adopted family and my friends were amazing.
Yay for people who care!
Indeedy.
(about half an hour later)
Sorry, getting distracted by Tumblr and TV...
That's OK.
Right. So. I'll chuck that on the blog, and you can read it through, make sure nothing has been missed.
Well it has. But Tumblr.
You can find more information and the petition against it here and information here, here, here, here, and here.
See you next week with a normal post!
E and J