Mental health Assessment update

[JeanneA]

Hi everyone. I think we have now decided to go with Glen going to Scotland for his assessment: youngfoundations. It looks a really good place and Glen needs help asap. He is deteriorating daily, he looks so depressed and continues to self harm. It looks like it will be sorted out quite quickly so Glen could be there withing a few weeks. The assessment itself is 12 weeks then its decided what happens after then, some youngsters stay there, some come home so we'll have to see how Glen does. It is a big decision to make for me as a parent. Glen has just turned 16 and for him to be away from home for at least 12 weeks is quite hard to think about but I know how much Glen needs professional help which this place seems to be able to give. I will keep you updated with everything. Hubby and I are hoping to go and have a look round the place soon, before we take Glen.

[Suze]

It must have been such a hard decision Jeanne <'> ....as parents we just have to try and do what we can to help.My son is in the midst of teenage stuff and has gone into shutdown mode, yesterday he stayed in his pjamas all day and curled up on the settee all day.He can,t sleep and is struggling to get up in the mornings we are verging on some sort of low/depression period coming on I think ....he won,t talk to me about any of it or tell me what is wrong he just shouts or ignores us..Its all just a worry sometimes.So all the best for you guys I hope the assessment helps and Glenn can begin to be more himself again, hugs suzex.

[julie1]

i have followed this post and read without posting because i never really new what to say. Im so glad for you as you have reached your descion. I know it must have been so very hard for you from reading your posts. I wish you and your son all the best and i hope your son gets all the help he needs to support him in his future.

[JsMum]

Hi JeanneA

 

Ive followed your posts too, I know you where really disapointed about the last hospital so lets hope this brings some reliefe soon, Ive had a look on their website and I think the best bit is they tailor their individual needs and they look at their strengths, also they have access to psychiatrist and other proffessionls regularly which will help Glen get to know the staff as they will give him consistancy and most of all the specialised help he needs, one of the videos was very sad because a boy had been moved to several childrens home before finally settling at thier placement, he said he had more to do and he liked the staff, so they must be very special people there, it looks homely too, not intertionalised or regimented, but homely and comfortable.

 

Hopefully they can take glen and he can start to get the help he really needs.

 

Do let us know how it goes, another thought would be could you not look at staying in scotland for the first few days, I did this with Jay when he went to residential school, its just an idea.

 

JsMumxx

 

[JeanneA]

Hi ladies, thanks for your very kind comments. It has been the most difficult decision I have ever had to make and I only made it this afternoon! I know I am doing right by Glen I can't take many more days of seeing him as he is its just too upsetting. I'm not sure about staying up in Scotland for a few days, with someone like Glen its probably best not to do that I remember when he first went to respite it was the best thing I did in not hanging around. All kids are different and we know what is best for our own kids and I think leaving him is the best, we will stay overnight nearby so we will be around a couple of days. Knowing me I will be on the phone quite a bit initially as well asking how Glen is doing!

[Sally44]

I'm keeping everything crossed for you too.

[lisac]

Hi Jeanne , im keeping everything crossed for you as well, you deserve the best , keep us posted, x

[JeanneA]

Hi Sally and Lisa I will keep you updated. My husband Carl is going to speak to the lady who is sorting the placement out over the phone today.

[Karen A]

<'> <'> <'>

Thinking of you as this is a big change for all of you.

Karen.

[cardiff_mum]

i wish u n glen all the very best n really hope this makes a difference for him. i know as a parent how hard it is to let ur child go n its so gd that u c the bigger picture n realise its for the best, it sounds as if glen really needs it. also it will give u n hubby sum time (although i know u will b worrying about glen) i hope this is the chance that glen needs to get sum help n feel happier.

all the very best to you

big hugs

[JeanneA]

Thanks you cardiff mum. We are just trying to arrange going up to see the place in Scotland next weekend whilst Glen is away at respite. I have just spoken to the manager at the place in Scotland and she sounded very friendly. Got to sort out flights next!

[trekster]

It must have been such a hard decision Jeanne <'> ....as parents we just have to try and do what we can to help.My son is in the midst of teenage stuff and has gone into shutdown mode, yesterday he stayed in his pjamas all day and curled up on the settee all day.He can,t sleep and is struggling to get up in the mornings we are verging on some sort of low/depression period coming on I think ....he won,t talk to me about any of it or tell me what is wrong he just shouts or ignores us..Its all just a worry sometimes.So all the best for you guys I hope the assessment helps and Glenn can begin to be more himself again, hugs suzex.

 

Have you tried taurine or 5htp to help with the sleep? Could he be constipated or in pain preventing him from sleep?

[JeanneA]

The visit is sorted for next Sunday. We are flying up on Saturday and staying at premier inn at Glasgow airport just for the night. Looking forward to seeing the home where Glen will be staying I think it will help put my mind at ease.

[lisac]

Good for you Jeanne , going to see the home first . Lets hope it turns out to be all it says it is , x

[Kathryn]

Hope the visit goes well.

 

<'>

 

K x

[cmuir]

Hi

 

Decisions like that can be agonising, but often once a decision has been made, when it's the right one, you feel a huge sense of relief (and perhaps some pangs of indecision).

 

Do keep us posted.

 

Best wishes.

 

Caroline.

[JeanneA]

Hi the funding is still being sorted out just hope there isn't any problems and it all works out as it hasn't been easy making this decision to send Glen away, so just hope its not all taken away from us now! We are looking forward to seeing the home this Sunday, I will let you all know how we get. We can still pull out at any time so if things don't go well on Sunday then we will pull out.

[JeanneA]

Looks like we could be driving up to Scotland tomorrow rather than flying due to this volcanic ash but we will be going this is our chance to look at the place where Glen may possibly go, so it is important. I will let you know how we get on.

[julie1]

i hope everything goes well for you.

[JeanneA]

Thanks Julie I really hope so.

[JeanneA]

Our flight to Glasgow has been cancelled due to this volcanic ash, so we are now driving up there and staying over at a couple of different locations for 2 nights, come back early Monday morning.

[justine1]

Wish you all the best of luck

Look forward to the good news come Monday

[JeanneA]

Yes I hope so just hope the place seems suitable for Glen and we don't come back disappointed, fingers crossed this won't be the case.

[JeanneA]

Hi the visit went extremely well. The manager and another staff member showed us around the home and had a chat with us. It seems very suitable for Glen's needs they even showed us Glen's 'potential bedroom', if the funding goes through of course, so that is what I am now waiting to hear about. I will keep you updated.

[justine1]

Hi the visit went extremely well. The manager and another staff member showed us around the home and had a chat with us. It seems very suitable for Glen's needs they even showed us Glen's 'potential bedroom', if the funding goes through of course, so that is what I am now waiting to hear about. I will keep you updated.

Thats great news Jeanne I do hope all goes well with regards to the funding now

[JeanneA]

Thanks I just hope we don't get let down regards the funding now. Glen needs to go asap, seeing him again today when he came in from School was awful, he looks so depressed and is so agitated.

[JeanneA]

Hi guys still no news on the funding. There is a meeting this Thursday so hopefully I will no whats happening then. Its been an awful weekend, Glen has been particularly bad, aggressive, anxious. I don't know how I got him on the taxi today it was a struggle. I can't go on like this much longer.

[justine1]

Hi guys still no news on the funding. There is a meeting this Thursday so hopefully I will no whats happening then. Its been an awful weekend, Glen has been particularly bad, aggressive, anxious. I don't know how I got him on the taxi today it was a struggle. I can't go on like this much longer.

Sorry that its taking time,I am sure it will work out.Have you expressed how you feel to the people who handle the funding?maybe an email or fax,describe what he is like at his worst and let them know you are at breaking point.Its worth a shot.

 

I am praying all will be sorted quickly

[JeanneA]

Hi Justine, yes I have emailed Glen's social worker stating just that I am struggling its getting worse each day. I am also going to try and speak to the psychiatrist tomorrow who is also fighting out the funding to tell her how hard things are and I can't go on much longer like this.

[Sally44]

Just keep the pressure on those involved. Make sure you are putting your concerns in writing and that it isn't all over the phone dialogue. Hope it gets sorted asap.

[JeanneA]

Thanks Sally, this is getting such a desperate situation for Glen and for us as parents. I have just tried ringing the psychiatrist regarding the funding and Glen's anxiety levels, but I was told she is off sick I'm not having much luck contacting people, just hope the meeting on Thursday proves moves helpful.