What is supporting information?
This is crucial information for understanding and treating a patient’s serious mental illness. It includes information from family, close friends, and other professionals who have knowledge about a patient’s mental health and behaviour. It is particularly valuable to clinicians who diagnose and treat patients who are unable to provide accurate information due to lack of insight into their own mental illness.
What supporting information should I include in my letter to the clinician?
The following is a list of suggestions of things you may want to include in the letter you send to your loved one’s clinician.
Timeline
Provide an accurate timeline of important information about your loved one.
- functioning
- social issues
- family dynamics
- living situation
- physical health issues
- support systems
- substance use
- medication adherence
- risk of harm or suicide risk
Tips for preparing collateral information
- be clear and concise
- try to present an accurate timeline of events
- consider the fact that the clinician with whom you are sharing the information may be required to show it to your loved one. Stick to facts and refrain from adding personal opinions
- ask for this to be added to your loved one’s medical record
Sample Letter (to include for loved one if clinician must share collateral information)
Dear [loved one’s name],
Your father and I are sending this information to your medical team with the hope that it will help them to put some of the pieces of your history together so they can treat you for your present challenges. We want you to know that every piece of this ‘data’ was carefully put to paper with only pure intentions. We LOVE YOU DEEPLY and do not want to see you struggle any longer. You have suffered a long time without proper care – you must be so tired. We know that if you have the proper medication and care, you will be able to heal.
Love always,
Mom & Dad
Sample #1 (collateral information for new doctor relationship)
Medical/Social Timeline of [name]
- Born on the Neonatal ICU – premature (32 weeks gestation, 3lbs 7oz)
- Highly sensitive as a child…artistic, plays piano, writes music
- No significant health issues beyond birth complications
- Completed high school (grade 12) – following graduation, began Bachelor of Music Program university to study classical music, did not complete program
- Headed to Toronto (fall 2015) did various short-term jobs (retail, waitressing, etc.) always temporary housing situations
- Returned to parents’ home (2018)…parents now aware of heavy marijuana use
- Back to Toronto (fall 2018)…temporary low paying jobs, substance use continued
- August 2021 – parents received an emergency call, [ ] had lost everything she owned, money & ID gone
- Returned home, staying with friends who noticed delusional, manic behaviour with severe mood swings… a friend contacted parents
- October 2021, parents and friends had lost contact. [ ] called from hospital, involuntary admittance
Sample #2 (collateral information for on-going doctor relationship)
Dear Dr. [name]
As discussed, I am sending you the following collateral information that I feel is affecting [__________]’s current health:
- [__________] moved to [__________] on July 1st.
- I noticed that he is using marijuana daily again.
- When I talked to him by phone on July 5th, and July 9th, he said that he “was not doing well” in each conversation.
- I drove to his apartment on July 12th, and he would not let me in.
- Most recently he has not answered my calls or texts.
- I am no longer sure if he is taking his medication as prescribed.
I very much appreciate the hard work you and the team have done to get [name] to this stage of recovery. I am concerned that some of these recent behaviours may indicate relapse.