Harry WhiteheadChannel Islands
BBC
In Guernsey, two sisters are advocating for improvements in mental health care after witnessing their brother’s decline, which led to his death earlier this year.
Jeff Falla, who struggled with addiction for over two years, passed away in July at the age of 38.
Katy and Lauren Falla launched a petition demanding greater compassion and coordination within mental health services, expressing that their cries for assistance before Jeff’s death were ignored.
The Health and Social Care committee (HSC) stated that they routinely conduct evaluations of patient care to identify areas for improvement.
If you are affected by the issues discussed in this article, support is available on the BBC Action Line website.
Katy described her brother as a “wonderful sibling” who “embraced life”.
“Family was everything to him,” she shared.
“He had a young son and was eager to watch him grow. His world revolved around family and harmony.
“He simply wanted to live in a loving environment.”
Throughout his addiction, the family sought assistance from the island’s mental health services for Jeff.
Initially, Lauren believed her brother was unwilling to accept help.
“But after attending numerous meetings and making several calls and emails, it became clear that support was lacking,” she explained.
“There was a lack of empathy, and no one to truly turn to.
“There was only one point of contact, and it was their way or no way at all.”
Struggling for Support
The family has been fighting for assistance for Jeff since 2021, which Katy described as “devastating”.
“We watched helplessly as our brother deteriorated,” she said.
“We were pleading for help, asking, ‘What can we do for our brother?’.
“It felt like no one was listening.”
They have since initiated a petition that has garnered significant support.
Advocating for Compassion
Katy expressed hope that their efforts would lead to “positive changes” on the island.
“We need more support, guidance, and empathy,” she emphasized.
“Despite numerous interactions with professionals, empathy was absent. They couldn’t perceive what we were experiencing, and as a result, there was no guidance or support.
“We need to highlight these issues and ask, ‘How can we offer more support and show greater empathy to those in vulnerable situations?'”
HSC responded: “Our heartfelt condolences go out to Mr. Falla’s family and friends for their loss.
“While we cannot discuss individual cases publicly, fostering a culture of continuous learning is crucial for all our services and healthcare workers.”
