Harmful Stigmas & Stereotypes in Mental Healthcare

When someone is living with anxiety, panic, OCD, and or depression, calling the police to help them is not the best route for highly sensitive people (empaths) for healthcare. The police and hospitals look at you as a stigma and a stereotype. Even if the person is calm, not in a panic attack any longer, abiding, and willing to go to the hospital, psychologists do not accompany law enforcement for wellness and healthcare checks.

Putting the person in handcuffs as a “protocol” only worsens the anxiety. And when the person has elevated vitals, putting them in a tiny, windowless room with colorless walls, no artwork, a ceiling camera, no access to a phone call or personal belongings, and a small cot in a hospital gown without medication or food for six hours also don’t help the person with elevated vitals and anxiety. This is NOT helpful healthcare methods.

Panic attacks are scary enough because our brain “shuts down,” the above treatment makes it so much worse for the person. It’s a traumatic experience.

Empaths (highly sensitive people) are sensitive to their surroundings. They respond best to Mother Nature, animals, water, and art for calming healthcare methods.

– Jaclyn Johnston

The next time you want to help someone (even if they merely had their phone on silent because they were going to bed and trying to get out of the panic), please do NOT call the police. They do not understand how empaths and sensitive people respond to their surroundings. The following are healthcare resources you can use, along with other resources, to help a friend or loved one in need:

Don’t Call the Police

https://www.dontcallthepolice.com

Mental Health America
https://mhanational.org/ 

Thank you.

XOXO Jaclyn