Abuse in Mental Health Institutions

Abuse and Neglect in Mental Institutions: What You Need to Know

If you have a loved one in a mental health institution, it’s natural to worry about their safety and well-being. While many facilities provide the care and support needed for recovery, abuse in mental health institutions can still occur.

In fact, the New York Times recently published a scathing report about Tennessee-based Acadia Healthcare – one of America’s largest chains of psychiatric hospitals. The allegations, which I discuss below, show exactly how dangerous abuse in a mental health facility can be.

As a Memphis lawyer specializing in abuse cases, I want to help you understand what abuse in mental health institutions looks like and what you can do if you suspect it.

What Happened at Tennessee’s Acadia Healthcare?

Acadia Healthcare, based in Franklin, Tennessee, is one of the largest providers of behavioral healthcare services in the United States. They operate numerous mental health facilities across the country.

Recently, Acadia has faced serious allegations of abuse, neglect, and inadequate care in many of its institutions. There have been reports of overmedication, improper restraints, and neglect of basic needs. These abuses leave patients extremely vulnerable and their families distressed.

Several victims have filed lawsuits against the company, accusing it of prioritizing profits over patient safety and well-being. In some of the most severe cases, patients report unlawful detention (similar to kidnapping and imprisonment), sexual assault, and other life-altering, traumatic injuries.

In one recent case, a jury awarded a victim $485 million in compensatory and punitive damages after an Acadia affiliate knowingly placed a child in an abusive environment. And that’s just one example.

If you have a loved one in an Acadia facility and are concerned about their care, please read below and speak with our attorneys to protect your loved one’s rights and safety.

What Is Abuse in Mental Health Institutions?

Abuse in mental health institutions can take many forms, not just physical harm. It can also include emotional abuse, neglect, financial exploitation, and more.

People with mental health conditions are especially vulnerable because they may struggle to communicate clearly, may not be believed, or might be isolated from family and friends.

Abuse can happen when staff are not properly trained, when there is a lack of supervision, or when the facility is understaffed.

Types of Abuse to Watch For

Physical Abuse

This includes hitting, slapping, pushing, or any other kind of physical harm. Rough handling, improper restraint, or using excessive force can often be considered physical abuse.

Emotional and Psychological Abuse

Staff members sometimes use threats, insults, humiliation, or isolation to control or frighten residents. Emotional abuse can lead to severe mental health deterioration, increasing anxiety, depression, or other mental health conditions.

Neglect

Neglect happens when the institution fails to meet a patient’s basic needs. This can mean failing to provide adequate food, water, medication, or hygiene.

In mental health settings, neglect can also include not giving the proper mental health support or ignoring a patient’s emotional needs.

Sexual Abuse

Any non-consensual sexual contact or behavior is considered sexual abuse. This can be particularly hard to detect in mental health institutions because victims may be too afraid, confused, or intimidated to speak up.

Financial Exploitation

Financial exploitation involves taking advantage of a patient’s finances. It could mean stealing money, forging signatures, or tricking patients into signing documents they don’t understand.

Signs of Abuse in Mental Health Institutions

Recognizing the signs of abuse is crucial to protecting your loved one. Here are some warning signs to watch for:

• Unexplained injuries like bruises, cuts, or broken bones
• Sudden changes in behavior or mood swings
• Fear or anxiety around certain staff members or other patients
• Withdrawal from social activities or refusing to speak
• Poor hygiene or unclean living conditions
• Lost personal belongings or unexplained changes in financial accounts
• Overmedication or under-medication without clear explanations

It’s also important to listen to patients if they describe abuse. Investigate the claims fully. In a mental health setting, many patients may have trouble getting people to believe them. This can create an even more vulnerable and dangerous situation for everyone at the facility.

What to Do if You Suspect Abuse

If you suspect that your loved one is being abused in a mental health institution, it’s important to act quickly. Here’s what you can do:

First, talk to your loved one about their experiences. If they have difficulty communicating, look for non-verbal cues or changes in their behavior that might indicate something is wrong.

Make sure to keep a detailed record of any signs of abuse, including dates, times, and descriptions of what you observed. Take photos of any injuries or unsafe conditions.

Then, contact the institution’s administration and report your concerns. You can also report the abuse to the Tennessee Department of Mental Health (TDMHSAS) or a local adult protective services agency. For the TDMHSAS, you can report by phone through their regional offices:

• East TN: 866-777-1250
• Middle TN: 866-797-9470, and
• All others: 866-344-0858.

And at any point in this process, but ideally as early as possible, contact a lawyer who has experience handling cases involving abuse in mental health institutions. Our Memphis attorneys can help you understand your legal rights and take the necessary steps to protect your loved one.

Why You Shouldn’t Wait

Abuse in mental health institutions is a serious issue that can have lasting effects on your loved one’s well-being. If you suspect abuse, don’t wait to take action. The sooner you address the situation, the sooner you can ensure your loved one is safe and receiving the care they deserve.

As a Memphis lawyer dedicated to fighting abuse in mental health institutions, I’m here to help you and your loved ones.

Our team has won awards for our compassion and care, including to victims of abuse. We fight for you every step of the way, investigate your claim, and represent you or your loved one in getting the compensation you need and deserve.

We offer a free consultation, no strings attached, and we don’t get paid anything unless and until we win your case.

Contact us today to discuss your situation. Together, we can fight against abuse and make sure every patient is treated with the respect and dignity they deserve.