Focus: Involuntary Mental Health Hospital Admissions and End of Life

Former VIPCare counselor, Dr. Mel Dowdy, a practicing licensed clinical psychologist and bioethics consultant, along with Daniel Dougherty LCSW, a community mental health provider and emergency mental health consultant, presented a continuing education program this morning for VIPCare staff.

The first half of the three-hour course, led primarily by Dan Dougherty, outlined and then walked through the process of involuntary admissions to mental health facilities. With a focus on the client-patient relationship, both Dan Dougherty and Mel Dowdy shared their experiences related to both voluntary and involuntary mental health admissions after which VIPCare counselors shared specific mental health admissions cases for feedback.

For the second half of the course, Mel Dowdy discussed the ethics of end of life issues with a focus on informed consent and the importance of allowing patients to remain in control of their medical care and decision making (as they are able). As well, Dr. Dowdy highlighted the importance of medical directives, family and caregiver roles, and the cultural context of patients (their history, family, cultural and religious background).

VIPCare staff presented Dr. Dowdy with questions on how to work with families who choose to withhold medical information to protect their loved ones (Dr. Dowdy suggested talking to the caregiver about their own desires for the patient's wellbeing and gently to consider whether the protection was asked for/would be welcomed by the patient). The program concluded with ways to offer support after a loved ones' death (no platitudes but speak from your own experience and spirituality).

VIPCare hopes to welcome Dr. Dowdy back in 2023 for another program on ethics and thank both Mel Dowdy and Dan Dougherty for their presentations.