Volume 1, Issue 4
In our second issue of PIN, Get to Know Me, we created an awareness that staffers with the most training have the least amount of contact with the seriously mentally ill. For example, nurses are almost always sitting behind a glass barrier while MHW’s are on the unit. To make the situation worse, Mental Health Workers (MHW’s) have nearly zip on training and often are hired right out of high school. This month we highlight on a webblog that was taken off the Internet from a MHW in California. My friend and fellow advocate, Barney Flusche takes it from here:
Mental Health Workers
We found a web log written by this MHW recently recruited by Fremont Hospital that describes his understanding of his duties. When we brought this information to the attention of Fremont Hospital, they took decisive action. The blog was removed and he was counseled. Feel safer? Here are excerpts from his blog.
May 11, 2003
I am currently working on resume. I'm applying for a Mental Health Worker position at Fremont Hospital. MHWs are the people that restrain mental patients when they are in danger of hurting themselves or others.
So basically..... Ima be puttin
headlocks and chokeholds on psycho ass people when they try to get loked
out! hahaha. Finally, all those nights watching wrestling will pay
off. hehe. What else? Oh yeaaaa i got new shoes: How about some real
training for these bad boys? PIC of MHW
California Psych Hospital
June 19, 2003
I got that NEW JOB at Fremont Hospital, a Psychiatric Hospital, as a Mental Health Technician. Basically my job is to make sure the psychos don't hurt themselves or anyone else. Believe me they find anything they can to hurt themselves with. Yesterday I learned how to take patients down and restrain them without hurting them. I also learned how to strap someone to their bed using leather restraints. Possibly useful away from the
I have a court date coming up on June 25th. This is when I find out how much I have to pay for my "Speed Contest" ticket. I'm expecting it to be about $1200 + 2 points on my record + suspension of license for month. Hopefully it won't be that bad. I have lawyer and he said he'll talk to the DA about letting me off easier. To make it worse, I went thru a red light in SF and got photo….graphed! A week later I got a picture in the mail of me with a "Oh …. I just went thru a red light" expression on my face and a bill for $340.....! It's under my dad's name tho so I'm going to ask him to take it for me, because 1 point on his record is better than 3 points on mine.
Mental Health Workers (or Technicians) are unlicensed entry level employees frequently without any prior experience in the medical or psychiatric field. — Barney Flusche
