Obtaining Blank Copies of Mental Health Files/papers?
Question by nikki.fira: Obtaining blank copies of mental health files/papers?
I’m working on a story and the main idea of the story is an investigation of the strange happenings at a psychiatric ward/mental health facility/mental hospital (which one is the proper term? I’ve heard both)
The story is told through fictional documents the hospital kept on file and were taken when a former patient decided that their story needed to be heard. So, it’s going to be told through transcripts of taped therapy sessions, results of psychiatric exams (mostly the 504 test), patient files such as intake/outpatient forms and general dossier/medical records.
Is there any way I might be able to obtain BLANK copies of these papers so I have an idea of what kind of information to provide for these documents? I know that real files can obviously not be released to the public, but I was wondering if it would be worth my time to try and get the blank files from my local psychiatric ward. (I don’t think that there is one located anywhere near where I live, it’s a very small town)
Best answer:
Answer by MSF
Depending on the type of environment, the broad term is psychiatric hospital or residential treatment center. A ward (more commonly called a “unit” in my experience) is a subsection of a psych hospital; For example in my local hospital there are separate units for dual diagnosis (comorbid substance abuse & mental illness), learning/developmental disorders, stabilization (high functioning mental illness for medication adjustments or suicidal intent).
I found an online source for intake papers (see sources). I don’t believe there is a standardized form, but they’re all generally going to ask the same types of questions. They’re to assess suicide risk, get medical history, substance abuse history, identify symptoms and the like.
I’m not entirely sure that it would be too beneficial to have general treatment papers. They’re largely notes based on observation of the doctor, therapist, and psych techs from day to day. If you want to be sure, I’m not sure whether they would provide blanks forms, so I recommend you make a call before you take an out of the way trip.
Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!
Jinfetah ufficjalment id-Day Centre ghall-anzjani fil-Mellieha
Servizz tal-ahbarijiet imxandar minn TVM.