14 Comments

This is such a vital part of mental healthcare, but this level of empathy and willingness to take risk for the benefit of a specific patient is so rare. Thanks for sharing this.

Expand full comment

Thank you so much for reading, please share with your world.

Expand full comment

That was super powerful. Kudos to that nurse for being so empathetic and also creative in dealing with traumatized kids

Expand full comment

he’s a remarkable nurse leader!

Expand full comment

Very powerful.

Expand full comment

Thank you! Please consider sharing with your world.

Expand full comment

Thank you for your story. So powerful. What stands out to me is how respectful Juan was of the young patient's autonomy and saw the person, not just the patient. (I disagree with restraints altogether.) On your closing notes, also how considerate and supportive Juan was of his colleagues, even though this meant that those remaining (including him) had to do more work.

Expand full comment

He's absolutely one of my favorite colleagues. Compassion came as easily to him as fish do to water. That's what made a great teacher, he lived it.

Expand full comment

that was so heartbreaking to read…. I really feel for that little boy. I will never be ok with restraints no matter what…. those kids are permanently traumatized… :(

Expand full comment

I don't know that is true

Expand full comment

I always enjoy reading your blogs but on this one I disagree. As a troubled teen industry survivor I have never met anyone who hasn't been traumatized by the system.... The way the meds and threats of restraints (sometimes restraints) happened was horrible.

That nurse sounds like he was empathetic but that boy.... you wont ever be the same after. Don't ask how I know.

Expand full comment

Some of use end up doing something useful with the experience

Expand full comment

I suppose. I understand that not everything is black and white... but when I was a kid there was no freedom or agency.... there were (honestly probably are) lots of people that get off on a power trip.... I am not a doctor like you so I don't have the education, but I did grow up in and out of facilities.... those places were prisons... I have even heard that sometimes people have MORE rights in prison... it was always eye opening anytime someone said we need more "mental health" because to me for many years the system broke me.

Anyways. Thank you for responding. Always great to have dialogue going.

Be well.

Expand full comment

Many more of my colleagues were In your shoes that you know, for good or ill. We are all in this together. Thanks for reading, and offering your thoughts.

Expand full comment