“I Do Not Know Anything about Your Hospitalization”: The Need for Triage at Psychiatric Hospitals

This first-person account highlights the critical need for standardized triage protocols in psychiatric hospitals, drawing from the author's personal experiences with mental health care in the Netherlands. The narrative underscores how the absence of clear communication and medical knowledge among administrative staff can exacerbate distress for patients during acute psychotic episodes. Key incidents—such as a telephonist's refusal to acknowledge agreed-upon hospitalization or the lack of access to deputy psychiatrists—illustrate systemic gaps that undermine patient care. The author advocates for triage systems in psychiatric settings, paralleling those in somatic medicine, to ensure timely and appropriate medical responses. Additionally, the piece reflects on the intersection of mental health, political activism, and personal resilience, culminating in a successful visit to Israel for peace negotiations, which the author links to her recovery journey.

Meijer, M.-M. (2018). “I Do Not Know Anything about Your Hospitalization”: The Need for Triage at Psychiatric Hospitals. Schizophrenia Bulletin, 45(3), 500–501. https://doi.org/10.1093/schbul/sby022