Have you ever met people who feel like they needed hospitalization but are terrified at the prospect because of past experience or what they have heard from the experience of someone else? Have you ever known someone whose issues mushroomed into life threatening or life altering consequences simply because they are too afraid to seek help? Have you ever known someone badly in need of a safe place for a few days who sees in hospitalization the likelihood of a profoundly dehumanizing, debilitating and traumatic experience and because of that tries to go without any help and ends up crashing on the rocks. I have known many people who felt this way. One lady, who was profoundly suicidal and trying so hard to hang on, responded to the idea of going to the state hospital simply and directly, “I’d rather die than every go back there again.”
There is an option in Tennessee. It is called the Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU). It was created a couple of years ago and has given thousands and thousands of people what has been for many a life saving option. It is a free, short term unit that people go to for crisis stabilization and short term treatment. Someone can be there for up to 3 days. During that time they have access to a psychiatrist, therapist, aftercare planning and referral. Therapeutic, life skills, and educational programs are ongoing throughout the day. More than anything it is a place where people have the space, the time, and the resources to take care of themselves. It is about empowering people to be successful.
I have known several people in our support groups who have been and all sing its praise. They feel they are safe, they are valued, and they are cared for. Many people who have told me horror stories about psychiatric hospitalization tell me the CSU is the best choice they ever made.
The CSU fills what has been a big gap in service delivery. It gives people the chance to avoid disaster, instead of treatment being the confirmation of disaster. If you need help, if things are getting out of hand, if you need more and need a safe place and a chance to regenerate then check out the CSU.
Some people I know well have and I am so grateful it was there for them.
Have you ever met people who feel like they needed hospitalization but are terrified at the prospect because of past experience or what they have heard from the experience of someone else? Have you ever known someone whose issues mushroomed into life threatening or life altering consequences simply because they are too afraid to seek help? Have you ever known someone badly in need of a safe place for a few days who sees in hospitalization the likelihood of a profoundly dehumanizing, debilitating and traumatic experience and because of that tries to go without any help and ends up crashing on the rocks. I have known many people who felt this way. One lady, who was profoundly suicidal and trying so hard to hang on, responded to the idea of going to the state hospital simply and directly, “I’d rather die than every go back there again.”
There is an option in Tennessee. It is called the Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU). It was created a couple of years ago and has given thousands and thousands of people what has been for many a life saving option. It is a free, short term unit that people go to for crisis stabilization and short term treatment. Someone can be there for up to 3 days. During that time they have access to a psychiatrist, therapist, aftercare planning and referral. Therapeutic, life skills, and educational programs are ongoing throughout the day. More than anything it is a place where people have the space, the time, and the resources to take care of themselves. It is about empowering people to be successful.
I have known several people in our support groups who have been and all sing its praise. They feel they are safe, they are valued, and they are cared for. Many people who have told me horror stories about psychiatric hospitalization tell me the CSU is the best choice they ever made.
The CSU fills what has been a big gap in service delivery. It gives people the chance to avoid disaster, instead of treatment being the confirmation of disaster. If you need help, if things are getting out of hand, if you need more and need a safe place and a chance to regenerate then check out the CSU.
Some people I know well have and I am so grateful it was there for them.