(well, more than once - but this once was terrible).
The teen had images of killing people, depicted in blood. He had a vague plan with real opportunity - and ability - and more that I won't say.
They held him for oh, 8 hours - did NOT give him a comprehensive evaluation (I wanted a 3 day hold and psy. testing).
Instead, I got a psychiatrist who took one look at a kid they didn't want to contain on an inpatient unit (they like those chronic low-key schizophrenics
not a powerful teenager who could be difficult to manage on a milieu. She said: Are you okay, do you have good plans for today?
He said he wanted to get discharged and go to work.
I ended up getting him major support outside, including a different psychiatrist - one would understood him and what he needed - and case management. But I'm old and know how to work a system.
I don't know if he's okay (he didn't do anything while I had him on my caseload)
but make no mistake: the system let him walk in HOURS. I was livid 
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