Family of man who committed suicide in hospital wants improvements made

By Gillian Slade on December 1, 2017.

gslade@medicinehatnews.com  @MHNGillianSlade

The family of a man who took his own life in 2013 while in the hospital’s psychiatric ward wants improvements in reaction to mental illness, and they are seeking the public’s assistance with their legal costs.

A report following an inquiry into the death of Glenn Piche while in Medicine Hat Regional Hospital’s psychiatric ward was made public in August. One of the nine recommendations included video cameras in all rooms, something three previous Alberta fatality inquiries called for.

Alberta Health Services has developed a response to the recommendations that is going through an approval process, said Grant Walker, senior operating officer at MHRH. Details of the response are expected at the end of December.

Julie Piche, Glenn’s sister-in-law, says it would have been nice to be kept in the loop.

“It would definitely have given us peace of mind in knowing that they’re actually doing something … otherwise we feel like we’re not even being heard. It’s like we’re behind the curtain and we can’t see what is going on.”

Piche was admitted to hospital in June 2013 after family members expressed concern about him considering suicide. The inquiry heard from medical staff who said he did not appear suicidal and was not placed in one of the rooms with a video camera. On June 20, he was found in medical distress after attempting to take his own life. He was revived but died within days.

If someone goes to the emergency department because of depression and suicidal thoughts they should be taken seriously at that stage rather than waiting until they have made a suicide attempt, said Julie.

“There’s people that cry for help and they don’t get the help that they need right away,” said Julie who would like to see an intake worker addressing the need straight away with follow-up steps. “So that they’re contacted again and again so that they have a goal to go towards.”

Support groups led by someone who is qualified would make a positive contribution in picking up on warning signs, she said.

One of those warning signs may be the person appearing to have reached a “good place” when in fact that could indicate they have a plan to take their own life, said Julie.

“They can put on that happy face and appear to be all together. If they’re with that person long enough that eventually comes out that they’re not OK,” she said. “It is so sad to see that these people felt that was the only route.”

It has already cost Glenn’s family in excess of $50,000 in legal fees and they have set up a GoFundMe page to help.

“If people can help us it is greatly appreciated,” said Julie.

Glenn had struggled with mental health issues in the past. They tended to come in cycles about every five or six years. The family thought admitting him to hospital would ensure he received the care he needed. Glenn’s wife, Laurie Sherwood, was so distressed about what happened to Glenn she took her own life just 18 months later.

https://www.gofundme.com/our-legal-fight-for-glenn-piche

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