Experiences of Patients Hospitalized During the Texas Mental Health Scandal

TOPIC: The impact of psychiatric hospitalization on children and adolescents hospitalized during the Texas mental health scandal. METHODS: Content analysis of archival data and in-depth interviews. FINDINGS: Subjects (N = 19) voiced complaints about the stigma resulting from the hospitalization as well as lack of individual care, violations of personal boundaries, ineffectual outcomes, permanent disruption to family relations, separation from family, trauma of seeing others restrained, and being restrained themselves. CONCLUSIONS: Unnecessary psychiatric hospitalization has long-term ramifications for children and adolescents in terms of self-view, family, and social relationships.