This morning Mikhail threatened to kill Mary and me, if we didn’t leave our home immediately. Over the last several weeks and months his condition has increasingly worsened as a result of sharing space with us. His companions—the spirits of his delusions, are constantly championing our elimination from his life. None of us can imagine how a psychotic is constantly under a barrage from the voices. It is never ending. There is a reason that he avoids spaces with other people or activities. Too much is going on in his head alone.
It was 6:45am. Mikhail was pounding on our door. The voice was not his. It was monstrous. “You will die forevermore! I am prepared to fight you! You have to leave. Guys they have to leave. Eagles, I need assistance. We are done with you! Leave immediately or you will die.” I told Mikhail that we would not leave—that this was our home and he would have nowhere to live if we were gone. (He is apparently no longer calling himself Mikhail but instead staring calling himself Zingabriel.) I also said that we would be calling for help, which we did. I immediately called the Snohomish County Crisis line (1-800-584-3578). I gave the agent a summary of Mikhail’s history this past year, since the last time we called them. We also talked about the morning threats that we recorded. The call lasted thirteen minutes. Afterwards, a Designated Mental Health Professional (DMHP) was immediately dispatched to our address. They arrived nearby shortly thereafter awaiting support from the sheriff’s department.
At 10:42am I invited the DMHP into our home, flanked by two sheriff’s deputies supporting them, should the situation require their assistance. As soon as Mikhail overheard our greetings, he quickly exited his bedroom and asked to leave with them. When asked “where,” Mikhail responded to jail or just away from here. He claimed that we had prevented him from leaving. (He has not been restrained and has already left for an entire day once since his return.) Unfortunately, once our guests raised the possibility of Mikhail admitting himself to the hospital, he quickly returned to his bedroom and locked the door behind himself. Despite the officers and DMHP entreaties, he could not be encouraged to join them for further discussion.
This is where these conversations often end. Without help for the mentally ill adult. However, the threats of violence we received combined with confirmation of erratic behavior by the professionals finally gives Patrick an option for treatment. That option is Joel’s Law.
Washington’s Joel’s Law allows petitioners with standing (e.g., family members, guardians, or tribal elders) to request a judge to order involuntary detention of the mentally ill. The petition must be filed within 10-days of a mental health visit, like the one we had this morning. And, the person that is dealing with the mental health challenge must have either been or threatened violence to themselves or others.
Once the petition is filed, the court must respond within a day. They will either dismiss the petition or request a sworn statement from the DMHP regarding the visit. The DMHP also has one business day in which to respond to the court. The court will then finalize a decision on the petition within a business week. If the court agrees with our assessment and that of the DMHP, then Patrick will be held and treated. After 5 days, whichever facility treats Patrick can
Discharge them,
Request their voluntary stay,
Order a less restrictive option, such as outpatient treatment, under court supervision, or
Ask the court for a hearing, where the judge will decide whether to dismiss the petition, order a less restrictive alternative, or commit the person for up to 14 days of additional inpatient treatment.
Mary and I hope that this terrifying feeling that we both have had for over a year will finally be replaced with hope and that Patrick will have a chance at healing.
All best wishes for best outcomes over the next few days. You are always in our thoughts.
Thank you for the update. Hoping the best for Patrick. It can't be easy. All the boys are thinking of Patrick and hoping to see him once again soon.