Total hell

January 24, 2019

“It was total hell. Every second felt like an eternity.”

That’s how Evan Silverman described the depths of his depression. He testified yesterday in support of a bill we’re championing at the State Capitol.

Evan ended up at University Hospital; a psychiatrist there saved his life. But the next time a crisis hit, his doctor was out of the country.

An ambulance took Evan to a different hospital, where he didn’t get the care he needed. He spent 13 days in isolation instead.

What would have made a difference? A psychiatric advance directive, allowing individuals like Evan to specify the treatment they prefer—and to designate someone else to make decisions on their behalf.

House Bill 19-1044, which would authorize such directives, won unanimous approval from the House Public Health Care and Human Services Committee. The bill now heads to the House floor.

Advance directives, in Evan’s words, “guide providers to best treat a patient who can’t communicate or make choices at the time.” Please ask your representative to vote yes.

-Andrew Romanoff