State must hear parents' plea for help

[harpboy_ak]

Source: Seattle Times

State must hear parents' plea for help

By Maureen O'Hagan

Seattle Times staff reporter

At age 13, Henry had his share of problems. He flew into rages and bouts of uncontrolled weeping; he cut himself and threatened suicide; and most frightening of all, he threatened to kill his parents and his younger siblings.
(snip)
Finally, they sent him to a locked mental-health treatment center in Idaho. But after their insurance backed out, and after they had racked up tens of thousands in debt, they turned to the state Children's Administration for help.

The agency, which normally takes charge only in cases where parents abuse or neglect their children — not the case with Henry's parents — said it wasn't responsible. The Snohomish County Juvenile Court agreed.

Both were wrong, according to a ruling by the Washington Supreme Court on Thursday. Parents whose mentally ill child is out of control have a right to ask the state to take the kid off their hands, under the ruling.
(snip)

Read more: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003944257_henry12m.html

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Yet another reason we need single payer national health coverage for everyone THAT INCLUDES MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES. This kid sexually abused siblings, and was totally out of control. His parents went $200K in debt for his residential mental health care, and the judge told them to sell their house to pay for the next six months, but what then?

Most health insurance won't cover treatment like this, just a minimal number of psychiatrist visits to prescribe meds and check blood medication levels. It's absolutely ridiculous that parents can't get FREE treatment of mentally ill children without becoming totally impoverished!