Dear Editor
Re: Mom speaks out after suicide of son released from Burnaby Hospital, Burnaby NOW, May 13. Even as I’m only an adolescent citizen of the city (and most certainly not a mother), I must say that I agree completely with Mrs Young.
Why on earth would a hospital discharge a patient whose condition has been clearly stated by his own mother to be mentally ill and suicidal? They had been asked to contact Mrs. Young immediately if Eddie Young was to be released. This tragedy was one that could have undoubtedly been avoided.Proper discharge policy was followed, they say? Once again: I’m on Young’s side.
The procedure should be rewritten so it’s mandatory to call a family member or trusted colleague (etc) for patients who are mentally ill (or threatening to commit suicide). Of course, this is simply my personal opinion. I can’t say that I’m very educated on the subject of rules in medical facilities – maybe there’s a catch in releasing the patient that I’ve missed; however, I do believe that the ‘loophole’ in discharge policies should be corrected, updated, whatever you call it – so this sort of thing never befalls a family again.
Claire Wang, Burnaby
