Teenager suffered psychotic relapse but no adolescent bed is available

A teenage boy is to be detained at an adult mental health unit because there is no bed for him in adolescent mental health services, the Dublin District Family Court heard yesterday.

Judge Sinéad Ní Chulacháin made an order under the Mental Health Acts for the involuntary detention of the 17 year old at the adult unit after hearing he had a relapse of a psychotic disorder.

A consultant psychiatrist said the boy, who had been diagnosed with schizophrenia, spent most of the last week in his bedroom because he had delusions he was harming people and was very upset by them.

The boy had been in involuntary treatment at the adult unit earlier this year, but was released after his condition stabilised. At the time, his court-appointed guardian raised concerns about his release.

Delusions and hallucinations

The psychiatrist said the first time the boy was admitted he had delusions and hallucinations, including thinking he was in love with a woman with whom he could communicate telepathically.

The psychiatrist told Judge Ní Chulacháin after release the boy attended the day hospital for treatment and had been making good progress, but his condition deteriorated and a drug test found he’d taken cocaine. The psychiatrist said he visited the boy at his home earlier this month, but the boy ran out the door when he saw him. The psychiatrist said he had tried to source an adolescent bed, but there were none available.

The boy’s mother agreed to the detention, the court was told. It was hoped his brothers could help convince him to go to hospital, but if not, an order would be needed to allow gardaí to take him there.

Judge Ní Chulacháin said she was concerned there was no adolescent bed available, but the boy needed treatment and was going to a unit he attended before.

In a separate case to review an aftercare plan for a teenager due to leave the care of the Child and Family Agency, a court-appointed guardian said the boy "hit all the bases" for becoming homeless.

Aftercare plan

The agency said there was an aftercare plan for the boy, who was “below average intelligence”, had mental and physical health problems and did not have the skills to live alone. It included continuing education with a weekly payment and a place at transitional accommodation. He would have an aftercare worker until aged 21 or 23 if he stayed in education, the court was told.

But the boy’s guardian said there was no “plan B” if the boy decided to leave the sheltered accommodation and live independently. He said if he sought rent allowance from social welfare the most he would get would be €500, but that would not be enough to fund a bedsit.

“The only adults in his life are paid professionals,” the guardian said. He also had the support of a girlfriend, but if that relationship ever ended he “would be in real difficulty”. He said the boy’s aftercare plan should include a commitment to provide additional money to top up rent allowance if required.

The solicitor for the agency said the position was clear; housing didn’t fall within the agency’s remit and it would not make up a shortfall in rent allowance.

Judge Ní Chulacháin said she wanted the aftercare plan redrafted to make it clear to the boy who it was he should approach if he had any financial needs. She adjourned the case to next week.