Investigating Essex: Dying To Be Saved

I’m only half way through episode one and it makes me feel incandescent with outrage for the child (biologically accurate) and his family. What is being described is the most horrific case of institutional gaslighting and mistreatment of someone who was trusting them with his care. This goes for the local police as well in regards to the runaround and general lack of empathy or interest in her child’s death; especially when they were the last attempt at self defense he called out to. The fact that this is only the beginning of the story is unacceptable. One would think that any suspicious or challenged death in a mental health facility would immediately be investigated with every possible means simply because 1) it’s their job 2) only they have the legal authority to do so, and 3) in the UK, with their socialized healthcare system, this is where they or members of the investigating teams’ own families could find themselves at the mercy of. How can such deaths be shrugged off as if because they were in need of emergency mental health they somehow are not fully entitled to dignity or legal protection during life and criminal justice after death? This has been happening since the beginning of institutionalization in every country but it is still shocking that this attitude is still so entrenched today in both the legal system and the very “professionals” tasked with caring for people in this way. How is it that society is under the impression that such places are safe when they may and often are exceptionally unsafe for our most vulnerable and beloved? This happens in the US and Canada as well. We just don’t hear about it because of disbelief of “crazy people” or the shame and despair of the bereft family and friends who find they have no place to turn when so much has gone wrong. My heart breaks and I remain terrified that someone I love or who knows, even myself, will encounter this New Bedlam experience. After finishing the series it seems as though if the community and the country is going to get the changes in care they deserve there will have to be a constant public discussion about the individuals and the stories of each and every patient who has been seriously harmed, died, or unmet mental health needs that were not addressed by these institutions and then led to the harm or death of others. I think the only thing that moves large systems like this to make real and meaningful changes is fear of embarrassment and shame. This podcast could easily be the start of something like this where people could then feel empowered to add onto this list of tragedy every single time this happens. From the way the cases are described and the broad range of factors which are ultimately so similar and prevalent that it becomes a predictable story, this is a pattern that probably adds up to a case a month if not more. Local radio shows, podcasts, social media pages devoted to outreach and info gathering; all of these things eventually become an embarrassing slow drip of bad press and public scrutiny. I’m not even from the UK and I’m astonished at how blasé much of what is said by the institutions at the inquests are. They are “sorry”? Are they? Because they keep making the exact same mistakes. There’s a level of disingenuous and meaningless statements that essentially allow the system off the hook and to continue on as usual with the correct boxes ticked off legally. But nothing changes and the people in need and the public continue to be underserved at best and at worst, completely dismissed as not worth the effort. My heart goes out to all the moms and their children they tried so hard to save. I know this feeling personally. This podcast voices a fear that still lives inside of me. Thank you for addressing this issue and validating the lives and experiences of so many. You are onto something huge with this.

A heartfelt and well produced podcast that dives into the challenges of mental health care. This could be anyone in any country who needs care and finds the dark side of “professional” help. I binged it in one day. Sad, infuriating and a feeling a helplessness. My heart goes out to the brave families who shared their horrific stories with the hope of saving others. In today’s society, it seems everyone uses mental health as an excuse for their behavior and it dilutes the care for those truly in need. I pray those responsible for the hideous acts in this program meet with justice legally or in God’s hands.