A mother in Chatham has filed a complaint against a local psychiatrist following the death of her son by suicide.
Leoni Van Puimbrooke said she found her son, 26-year-old Robert Martin, in his bedroom on April 8, 2022.
“I told everyone I know, including health professionals, that this will happen,” she said. “And no one listened to me.”
VanPuymbroeck said her son was discharged early from a two-week forced stay at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance after police brought him there.
“Martin has suffered from mental health problems for years,” said Van Puimbruck.
Robert Martin, 26, died of suicide on April 8, 2022 (Courtesy of Leonie Van Puimbrook)
“I want people to hear my call,” she said. “Because I remember saying over and over in my 911 call, ‘I told them it was going to happen.’ I want the Chatham-Kent Health Union to hear this call. I want psychiatrists to hear this call. “
VanPuymbroeck said he shared his son’s story so other families could avoid similar tragedies.
“I didn’t want Robert’s story to be that he died suddenly because he didn’t. He died of a well-thought-out and planned suicide, “she said. “People should not be ashamed of it. People need to talk about this. People should be allowed to talk about it, not feel condemned. “
VanPuymbroeck has filed complaints against his son’s psychiatrist with the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance and the Ontario College of Physicians and Surgeons (CPSO).
The CPSO did not respond to requests for comment and there is no record of a complaint in the doctors’ register. CTV News did not release the psychiatrist’s name at this time.
In a statement, the CKHA said it was reconsidering the issue.
“The hospital takes all patient and family care seriously and is committed to providing quality care to patients,” the statement said. “As such, the hospital can confirm that it will conduct an internal review of the issue. Unfortunately, out of respect for the patient and the hospital’s privacy obligations, the hospital is currently unable to comment further.
Van Puimbrooke told CTV News that she believed her son would have been alive if he had not been discharged.
“I had to go public with Robert’s story. “People need to know who he is, and I need to help as many people as I can, because that’s what Robert would do,” she said.
This week is Mental Health Awareness Week. According to the Mental Health Act, health professionals cannot keep elderly patients in hospital against their will unless they pose a risk to themselves or others.
Officials from the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) branch in Windsor-Essex County say it is difficult when hospital stays are forced, noting that adults’ rights to their own health care and privacy cannot to be taken away unless a high level of criteria is met
“It is always optimal to engage people and get them to go to the hospital voluntarily,” said CEO Sonia Grebevski. “And in the event that they harm themselves or harm someone else, then based on the criteria they would meet, there will be an involuntary admission.”
Grebevski encourages families to continue to stand up for their loved ones as much as possible.
“Keep asking these questions to monitor the well-being of their loved ones and systems,” she said. “And I say that in general, whether it’s a hospital system, a community provider, anyone can provide information, and that’s the return on communication. Unless authorized by the person to exchange information freely. “
“Even as providers, we will need to have permission from the person if we want to have family / friends as part of their care or exchange information. What are the differences, maybe it’s a power of attorney, that’s where if they have oversight of their medical care, then that makes it a little easier, a lot easier to have networks to share information. “
Condolences given to the family of Robert Martin, 26, who died of suicide on April 8, 2022, photographed at his mother’s home, Leonie Van Puimbrook’s home in Chatham, Ont. Thursday, May 5, 2022 (Chris Campbell / 2022)
VanPuymbroeck said she did not sign the power of attorney because her son is in hospital and she does not want to take away his rights.
“My heart hurts. I have a knot in my stomach. I don’t know if it will ever go away,” she said.
The grieving mother says that after she went public, several other families shared similar stories with her.
“So many people turned to me and I heard so many mothers who turned to me and told me their stories,” Van Puimbrook said. “I had no idea how many people were affected by suicide. It’s really sad. “
IF YOU NEED MENTAL HEALTH:
CMHA Windsor-Essex Public Crisis Center (24/7) at 519-973-4435
If you are in an emergency, call ConnexOntario at 1-866-531-2600 or Canadian Suicide Prevention Services at 1-833-456-4566 or send START to 741741.
In an emergency, call 911.
Add Comment