Whanganui teenager getting help from local mental health agencies following attempted stabbing of his stepfather and mother's struggles to get assistance
Samantha Oldehaver said she is positive of a good outcome for her son now that he is receiving assistance from Family Works and Te Oranganui.
Samantha Oldehaver said she is positive of a good outcome for her son now that he is receiving assistance from Family Works and Te Oranganui.
A 13-year-old teen who tried to stab his stepfather with a knife is now undergoing evaluation and treatment with two Whanganui mental health agencies.
Samantha Oldehaver's son is receiving services from Family Works and Te Oranganui and has had a psychiatric appointment at ICAMHAS following the incident that occurred about three weeks ago.
The teenager has ADHD, had come off his medication and had been exhibiting disturbing behaviour leading up to the attempted stabbing.
At the time of the incident, Oldehaver said they were on a waiting list to see a mental health specialist and after it, she could not get help from anyone.
Scared that her son would ruin his future and kill somebody, Oldehaver turned to social media, posting a video plea for help that went viral.
"The main concern I had when I first made the Facebook video was that in those crucial 72 hours where we felt helpless and scared, the support was not there," Oldehaver said.
She said the waiting time to see a specialist through ICAMHAS was large.
"We believe had they seen us when we first approached in the first half of last year, we may not be in this position now. Instead, we have to wait until a major event occurs and even then, it does not guarantee you will be seen."
Oldehaver is referring to a time in mid-2018 when they went to their GP requesting a referral with ICAMHAS to get her son back into the mental health system.
He had requested to come off his medication earlier, which the GP had allowed and it worked well for a period of time, but after a few months his mood changed.
Communications advisor at the Whanganui District Health Board (WDHB) Karl Pollard said when an ICAMHAS referral is received with insufficient information, that information is then sought from the referrer.
If there is a more appropriate community service provider, ICAMHAS will contact the family to advise them and refer them them on with consent.
Urgent referrals at ICAMHAS are prioritised and seen within one to seven days and depending on the seriousness of the situation may be seen on the same day.
ICAMHAS received the initial refferal for Oldehaver's son on February 18, 2019. He was seen the next day for assessment and again for a follow up on February 28.
Around this time the knife attack occurred and Oldehaver took issue with the fact that no services seemed to be available during a weekend emergency.
The Infant, Child and Adolescent Mental Health and Addiction Service (ICAMHAS) is open Monday to Friday from 8.30pm to 5.30pm.
They are equipped to manage urgent mental health assessments from 8.30am until 3.30pm at which point they liaise with the Mental Health Assessment and Home Treatment (MHAHT) team until 5.30pm.
Because those servives were unavailable, Oldehaver tried Te Awhina, whose services are for adults and a crisis line where a phone operator said they could only help if her son was suicidal.
Following the incident, Oldehaver's son ran away and was missing for two days before police tracked him down, but there was no way he could return home having attempted to stab the man who had helped raise him since he was four.
Chief executive of the Whanganui DHB Russell Simpson said there are a number of different agencies available to respond and provide help in a mental health crisis situation.
Oranga Tamariki were then called. They could not immediately find housing for the teen, but eventually facilitated unofficial housing for him with a woman known to Oldehaver.
However, that did not work as an existing resident felt scared and intimidated by Oldehaver's son, who had still not received any treatment.
Hundreds of people offered Oldehaver support and well wishes following the release of her video, including comedian turned mental health advocate Mike King.
But Oldehaver stuck to her guns with ICAMHAS until they realized how desperate she was to get her son help and they booked him an emergency appointment.
In response to the incident Whanganui DHB chief executive Russell Simpson said they can't comment on individual cases.
"...but there are a number of different agencies available to respond and provide help in a crisis situation. Which is the most appropriate service depends on the type of crisis being experienced".
He confirmed the teenager was assessed on February 19 and said Whanganui DHB are committed to providing him and his family all the support that they can.
Oldehaver said it can be very difficult to be proactive when it comes to mental health.
"I do however feel positive about the services we are about to receive from Family Works and Te Oranganui. These wrap around services have been great," she said.
"We are just today receiving our first lot of support from them and we are hopeful of a good outcome."
Both Family Works and Te Oranganui were contacted for comment by the Whanganui Chronicle, but both failed to reply. Youth Services Trust were also contacted and a message was forwarded to the manager and BOT, but a response was not forthcoming.
The Chronicle did receive a response from manager at Mental Health and Wellbeing Support (MHWS) manager Fiona Wakeling who said she could not comment specifically on the case.
Wakeling said MHWS works closely with the WDHB mental health services and believes they are well-equipped to deal with mental health issues and crisis situations.
"I think it is important for people to remember that not all emergency situations are mental health related but require a different emergency response, such as that provided by the police," Wakeling said.
"Our service endeavours to assist anyone that approaches us looking for help for a family or whanau member, however, we are not a crisis service."
WHERE TO GET HELP
Available help and support in a crisis situation according to the Whanganui DHB:
If someone is concerned about a person's mental health they should contact the Mental Health Assessment and Home Treatment (MHAHT) team (otherwise known as the Crisis Team). Locally, they can be contacted on 0800 653 358.
The 1737 support line is a free helpline available 24/7 for all who need to talk. Free call or free text 1737. They work with DHBs and emergency services as and when appropriate.
Free advice from a trained medical professional is also available from Healthline on 0800 611 116
Police should be called if somebody is threatening to kill.
Other helplines and support:
The Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 or free text 4202
Mental Health Assessment and Home Treatment Service 0800 653 358 available 24/7, Mental Health and Wellbeing Support (06) 345 3301 or call into 210 Wicksteed St Monday - Friday, Family Works (06) 345 6681, Te Oranganui Mental Health and Addiction Service (06) 349 0037, Balance Aotearoa (06) 345 4488
