People with bleeding disorders across the country have been denied access to behavioral health facilities.

You can do this by coordinating with your referring provider and contacting the facility to encourage them to reconsider your admission. Here is some language you can use:

“I was denied inpatient/residential treatment, and it’s been really discouraging — would you be willing to help advocate for me by coordinating with my referring provider and contacting the facility to reconsider my admission?”

“I want to talk about something that’s been really hard for me to bring up. I was recently denied admission to an inpatient/residential mental health or substance use treatment program, and I’m feeling overwhelmed and unsure what to do next.”

“I know I need a higher level of care, and I took a big step by trying to get into treatment. Being denied has made me feel discouraged, and frustrated.”

“I’m not asking you to fix everything, but I’m hoping you can help me advocate so I can get the care I need.”

“Would you be willing to help advocate on my behalf by coordinating with my referring provider and reaching out to the facility that denied me?”

“I have been reading about denials in the bleeding disorders Access Toolkit and I think it might help if the facility could hear directly from a medical provider about my situation and why treatment is appropriate and safe. There is also a Provider Toolkit that I can share with you if you think that would be helpful.”

“It’s already hard to ask for help with mental health or substance use. Having your support would make this feel less isolating and would help me keep going instead of giving up.”

“I really trust you, and I value your perspective. Even helping me think through next steps would mean a lot.”

“Thank you for listening and for supporting me through this. I know this isn’t easy, but getting access to treatment could make a real difference in my life.”

• The BD SUMHAC Provider Toolkit: This is a comprehensive guide for assisting providers in referring people with bleeding disorders to behavioral health facilities and can facilitate admission.

• Draft letter from the bleeding disorder provider to the treatment facility regarding stability: This is a draft letter that your provider can edit and share with the behavioral health treatment facility to assure them that you are medically stable and your condition should not preclude you from admission.

If your bleeding disorders treatment team is unable to assist you, please contact the access team at the National Bleeding Disorders Foundation for additional support.