When people talk about depression and mental illness, it’s easy to imagine it as a passing phase. Some may think of it as a cry for attention or a sign of weakness.

These misconceptions can be harmful to those who suffer from it, making them feel alone and misunderstood. Unfortunately, this is exactly the kind of experience that drove a 35-year-old man to take his own life inside a psychiatric hospital.

The Hospital

The man’s name was John Smith. He had been dealing with depression for several years and had been in and out of different psychiatric hospitals.

At some point, his family decided to check him into a private hospital in the outskirts of the city, hoping that this would be the best place for him to receive professional help and recover.

The private psychiatric hospital was a quiet place surrounded by trees and hills. It seemed like the perfect place to escape the woes of the world and focus on healing. The hospital had strict rules for visitors.

Visitation hours were limited, and family members were only allowed to visit on certain days. Despite this, the atmosphere of the place was warm and welcoming. Nurses and staff members would always greet the patients with a smile and a reassuring word, trying to make them feel safe and at home.

John was one of the many patients being treated at the hospital. The other patients were people dealing with various mental illnesses. John’s room was on the second floor, facing the lush green surroundings of the hospital’s garden.

His room was sparsely decorated, with only a small bed, a table, and a lamp. Nothing about the place suggested comfort, but John tried to make the most of it. He would spend his days reading books, writing in his journal, and taking walks around the hospital’s garden.

The Final Act

After spending a few weeks at the hospital, John’s condition seemed to have worsened. He was no longer interested in the activities that once kept him busy and often stayed in his room, staring off into space.

One day, he called his mother and told her that he was sorry for all the pain he had caused her and the family. He said he wanted to die and didn’t want to live anymore.

John’s mother immediately called the hospital and spoke to one of the nurses. She told them what John had said and asked them to keep a close eye on him. The nurse promised to do everything in her power to make sure John was safe.

The following day, John was found dead in his room. He had hanged himself using a piece of cloth he had torn from his shirt. The nurses and staff members were shocked and saddened by what had happened.

They had failed to prevent one of their patients from taking his own life.

A Failure to Prevent

An investigation into John’s death revealed that the hospital staff members had been neglectful in their duty to keep him safe. John’s room was not properly checked on nor the suicide risks were take into account.

The hospital staff had failed to recognize the signs that John had been experiencing suicidal thoughts, which could’ve helped them prevent this terrible outcome.

John’s family was understandably outraged. They felt that the hospital had let them down and hadn’t done enough to protect their son. The family decided to take legal action against the hospital.

Conclusion

John’s death was a tragedy that could’ve been prevented. It’s important to remember that depression and other mental illnesses are not just something people can snap out of.

Those dealing with these illnesses need professional help, support, and understanding. Hospitals and other mental health facilities must have the necessary protocols in place to identify and treat those who are struggling with mental illness, especially those that are at risk of self-harm and suicide.

John’s story is a reminder that mental health is just as important as physical health, and it’s about time we start taking it seriously.