I think I should relate this incident that reflects on our
dysfunctional mental health system while it is still fresh in my mind.
Just before 5:00 pm( Monday, May 12 ) the RIPTA BUS 29 stopped at the
Kent Hospital bus stop in Warwick. Soon I was hearing hysterical crying .
And a woman across from me explained that it was a young female just
discharged from the " psycho " ward. " In that condition ? " I asked.
We both agreed that something was wrong here. The disturbed female
continued to cry hysterically all the way to the Warwick Mall bus stop -
where I last observed her squatting down in the shelter.
For a moment I wondered if I could get a coherent story from her. But I had to catch the very next bus to Cranston.
Isn't a young female in this state of mind extremely vulnerable to even
more neglect and abuse? Why was she not calmed down before being
discharged ? Why was there no protection here ?
Am I just being an old busy- body ? Our so called mental health professionals should be ashamed of themselves.
