What is it about?
This article describes my experience as a psychiatric patient whose mental health crisis was treated as a criminal matter rather than a clinical emergency. I discuss how inadequate crisis protocols, unclear roles between healthcare providers and law enforcement, and a lack of trauma-informed care led to harmful outcomes. By sharing my story, I hope to encourage mental health organizations to strengthen crisis response procedures, prioritize patient safety and dignity, and ensure that care remains centered on healing rather than punishment. My goal is to contribute to conversations that improve psychiatric care for future patients.
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Why is it important?
This publication is important because it gives a voice to individuals whose mental health crises are often misunderstood or treated as criminal matters rather than medical emergencies. By sharing my experience, I hope to encourage mental health professionals to strengthen crisis protocols and provide more trauma-informed care. The article also emphasizes the importance of protecting patient dignity, safety, and human rights during times of vulnerability. Personal stories like mine can influence education, policy, and clinical practice. Most importantly, this work transforms a painful experience into an opportunity to advocate for positive change and better outcomes for others.
Perspectives
This publication is important from my perspective because it validates that my experiences as a psychiatric patient, veteran, and future counselor have meaning beyond my own story. It allows me to advocate for people who may not have the opportunity or ability to share their experiences. By bringing attention to gaps in crisis care and the impact of trauma-informed treatment, I hope to contribute to meaningful changes in mental health practice. Most importantly, this publication represents resilience transforming one of the most difficult moments of my life into an opportunity to educate, inspire, and improve care for others.
Davian Torrence
Grand Canyon University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: When Care Defers to Custody: A Failure of Clinical Preparedness, Psychiatric Services, June 2026, American Psychiatric Association,
DOI: 10.1176/appi.ps.20260289.
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