Supporting Your Loved One
When someone you care about is placed on a 1013 hold, it can be frightening and confusing for everyone involved. This guide provides practical information to help you navigate this difficult situation and support your loved one effectively.
Understanding Your Role
As a family member or friend, you play a crucial role during and after a 1013 hold:
- You can provide important background information to medical staff
- Your emotional support matters, even if they seem resistant
- You can help advocate for appropriate treatment
- You'''ll be key to planning post-discharge care and support
What You Can Do Right Away
In the first 24-72 hours, focus on these practical steps:
- Gather Information: Collect medication lists, medical history, and recent events that may have triggered the crisis
- Contact the Facility: Find out visiting hours, phone policies, and how to communicate with the treatment team
- Notify Key People: Inform employers, schools, or others who need to know (with your loved one'''s permission)
- Secure Their Affairs: Take care of pets, secure their home, handle urgent bills or responsibilities
- Take Care of Yourself: This is stressfulâmake sure you'''re eating, sleeping, and seeking support
Communicating with Medical Staff
You may be frustrated by privacy laws that limit what staff can tell you, but you can still:
- Share information about your loved one'''s history and recent behavior
- Ask about visiting policies and the best times to visit
- Request to speak with the social worker about discharge planning
- Express your concerns about safety and treatment needs
Note: Due to HIPAA laws, staff cannot share information about your loved one'''s treatment without their consent, but they can listen to what you have to say.
Visiting Your Loved One
When you visit, keep these tips in mind:
- Stay calm and non-judgmental, even if they'''re angry or upset
- Avoid debating whether the hold was necessary or justified
- Listen more than you talkâthey may need to process their feelings
- Bring comfort items if allowed (photos, favorite snacks, books)
- Keep visits relatively brief if they seem overwhelmed
- Reassure them that you care and will be there after discharge
Planning for Discharge
Before your loved one is released, work with the facility to:
- Understand follow-up appointments and medication requirements
- Identify warning signs that might indicate another crisis
- Create a crisis plan for what to do if symptoms worsen
- Connect with outpatient mental health services
- Consider whether they need temporary support at home
Common Emotions You Might Experience
It'''s normal to feel:
- Relief: That they'''re safe and getting help
- Guilt: About the role you may have played in initiating the hold
- Anger: At the situation, the system, or even your loved one
- Fear: About what comes next and whether it will happen again
- Exhaustion: From the stress and emotional toll
All of these feelings are valid. Consider seeking support for yourself through:
- Family support groups like NAMI Family-to-Family
- Individual counseling
- Trusted friends or spiritual advisors
- Online support communities
Long-Term Support Strategies
After the immediate crisis passes:
- Educate yourself about your loved one'''s diagnosis
- Maintain open communication about their mental health
- Help them build a support network beyond just family
- Encourage treatment compliance without being controlling
- Set healthy boundaries for your own wellbeing
- Recognize that recovery is a process, not an event
Remember: You cannot control your loved one'''s recovery journey, but your steady support and presence can make a meaningful difference. Take care of yourself so you can be there for them.