The hiring/interview process is a nightmare. Put in a lot of work for what is essentially a graduate level assignment given last minute along with no guarantee that your idea won’t be used but you won’t be given a chance to apply or try out the role. Preinterview tasks for professionals who have been in the field for decades is a bit insulting. Some of the admin/professional roles outside of teaching are certainly interesting and seem to have merit but the hoops they drag candidates for is a mess.

I’ve seen some videos online and some of them show using soapy water or ammonia, others use a dryer or heat gun.

I’d rather pay someone to do it right than have to go out and buy all the supplies and take the time out to do it myself. I’m not without resources but I don’t have the things that would be needed to DIY it.

Depending on insurance or funding you might consider intensive outpatient (IOP) or partial hospitalization (Tucker offers both but there is likely one in the area your brother lives in). Both require daily travel or participation in services so commuting from Portsmouth to Richmond may not be sustainable for that.

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You can also reach out to your local community services board (https://www.portsmouthva.gov/149/Behavioral-Healthcare) and inquire about services and supports. If he doesn't have medicaid or insurance he can apply but the public health emergency period is winding down and the lessened medicaid restrictions are ending, which means some people are going to stop being eligible. There may also be local non-profits that can help but I'd suggest starting with the CSB as that is in their wheelhouse. Not everyone (esp. adults) will qualify for all services though. Some, like case management, have specific requirements and funding needs. It is a painfully broken system but if you get the right person they can help you navigate it.

If he has insurance you might call to speak to a care coordinator/navigator and see if they can make recommendations or referrals. Another option is to check out https://www.hrchc.org, which is a federally qualified health center, they also seem to offer behavioral health support. FQHC programs, like this one, can often be a starting point in seeking help...esp. if there is no PCP or other health care provider linked to treatment or care.

As someone who works in mental health and has also worked with individuals in a detention center i am appalled by the circus the incident turned into. This needs to be shared far and wide to expose how the dumbasses in the middle of this allowed it to escalate to half the staff sitting by and watching this play out. There were too many observers and people “helping” not to mention how badly the situation was handled and played out, which resulted in loss of life. It was unprofessional and reflects a lack not training and respect for patients and individuals in crisis. They’re all culpable. Yes, things can move quickly and we’re all armchair quarterbacking, but it was a mess from the start.

WaPo went through court documents and found relevant links. The prosecution did not release the video but apparently found a way to ensure the public could find out how in the way court documents were filed. Creative.

I watched the video and part of what stuck out was the number of people that showed up to watch. The whole boondoggle was unprofessional and a huge CF. Aside from emergency people called in to resuscitate everyone in that room, participating or observing, should be charged. The idiot papers over the body and staff doing CPR was doing nothing to help as well. This video shows a reality that staff in that location are unprepared and untrained…among other things.

It’s not so clear cut but you do make good points. Mental health and local politics go hand in hand and I’ve seen how local leadership in CSBs reflect in contracts, MOUs, and more. The government has not given a clear roadmap with realistic and achievable goals and continues to give local mental health agencies mixed signals. CSBs used tdt as a cash cow and abused the system, using it as a foundation to pad their budget. Often keeping kids in service for longer than needed. At this point tdt is gone with no replacement offered. CSBs and agencies that used to provide the service don’t have staff for it and claim they won’t hire because of Medicaid auths and difficulty coupled with no guidance from the state. State is apparently asking the csbs why they don’t provide TDT. Finger pointing in both directions.

I speak from personal and professional ties to the field and am working closely to try to address some disparities in my community so my soapbox isn’t just grandstanding 😇

I work in mental health here in Va and the system is broken. DMAS and DBHDS pats themselves on the back but splitting Medicaid into 6 different MCO/HMOs, multiple waivers, and tons of hurdles to get help and service? Failure. The STEPVA attempt was supposed to help revamp things but it made them worse. Deeds sitting on his high horse as a victim and politician also didn’t really change anything. What was supposed to make services easier to access has made it harder in reality. There’s no plan or replacement for TDT and COVID exacerbated mental health issues in children exponentially. Depending on locality CSBs are often underfunded and it’s hard to hire and retain people, we’re burning out. Serious incidents and crises appear to be increasing, state hospitals (esp Commonwealth for kiddos) are a joke with staffing…private ones pick and choose who they want to admit in crisis often leaving children in an ED for days while trying to find a bed.

People will bitch about about it and providers will rally but the status quo will remain until another famous/popular person or their family has a mental health issue…then it will be in the news and politicians will be racing to politick and pander for talking points.

“Appropriators in both the House and Senate have also acknowledged that Virginia is in a mental health crisis and have stated their commitment to build a comprehensive mental health system. The proposed investments announced last weekend are not insignificant, with the House committee proposing $182.5 million and the Senate, $370 million.” …this is the same song and dance for years, just a different administration saying it.

People are daily falling through the cracks and Va is doing nothing, has been doing nothing, and the net sum will be more death, injury, and illness. Roadmaps like STEPVA and programs like the Marcus alert can’t do anything unless they’re put into action or funded and supported.

Local mental health providers (ie CSBs) are also at fault for not thinking creatively, not offering enough prevention based supports, and not pressing the state and local gov more. TDT was a cash cow…literally dripping wealth into the hands of CSBs as many made that and case management the foundation of their budget. They got greedy, Medicaid and the state interventions, and part of the repercussions reflect a lack of school based interventions. TDT is/was a valued service but with Medicaid billing the providers were incentivized to keep kids on the books for years, when it should have been far less. The state, localities, and community based providers can do better.

Back the blue right? 🤷‍♂️🤦‍♂️

He’s a crook and a child molester and a disbarred lawyer. How does he keep getting re-elected?