More than 300 mental health professionals at Kaiser Permanente in San Diego have been on strike for over seven weeks, leaving patients grappling with significant delays and limited access to essential therapy services. The walkout, which began on October 21, has sparked frustration among those who rely on Kaiser for their mental health care, as many struggle to secure timely appointments or maintain continuity in their treatment.
For Kaiser patient Alana Molino, the ongoing strike has meant restarting her therapy with temporary providers, an experience she finds particularly challenging. “It’s hard enough to admit you need therapy, and now I’m forced to start over, reliving all the trauma I’ve already worked through with another therapist,” she shared.
Savana Pheifer, another patient and school mental health caseworker, voiced her frustration, empathizing with the strikers but also expressing her own sense of abandonment. “It feels like we’ve been forgotten,” she said. “Before the strike, I’d wait about three weeks for an appointment, but now the delays are even longer. Four months for a psychiatry appointment is unacceptable—especially when psychiatrists aren’t even on strike.”
Kaiser has responded to claims of extended wait times, stating that they are adhering to state guidelines, which mandate a nonurgent mental health appointment within 10 days. However, Pheifer disputed this, noting that despite filing two complaints with Kaiser, she continues to face difficulties in securing timely care. “I just want to be treated like a human being and receive the care I need,” she said.
Christina Jones, another Kaiser patient and community organizer, expressed similar concerns regarding the quality of care during the strike. After social workers overseeing her outpatient program were replaced, Jones reported that the service she received was “subpar and raggedy.” While Kaiser has asserted that temporary staff are qualified, the National Union of Healthcare Workers has raised concerns about their specialized training.
Kaiser maintains that crisis clinicians are available 24/7 to assist patients with urgent needs. However, Jones recounted a negative experience when she called seeking help during a crisis. “I told them I was in an emergency situation, and they told me I didn’t sound like it,” she said, frustrated by the lack of empathy in the system.
Despite these struggles, the three women have found solidarity in one another, offering mutual support during these difficult times. “It’s a small light in this darkness,” Jones said, emphasizing the importance of connecting with others who are also dealing with mental health issues. As the strike drags on, the group is considering exploring other healthcare options, including paying for therapy out of pocket.
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