Support Person Overview

From Dr. Mai Shimada, MD

A support person serves two important functions: first, to create a trusting space where the patient can fully relax and explore their internal experience without worry; and second, to assist with practical needs in the physical space — like helping them get to the bathroom if needed. The best support persons are calm, patient, and understand that their role is to be a quiet, reassuring presence rather than an active participant in the session.

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At Isha Health, our primary goal is to enhance accessibility to safe and efficient mental health treatments. To achieve this objective, we provide remote sessions that enable you to receive treatment at your convenience. During these sessions, it's crucial to have a Support Person who can assist you, ensuring your comfort and safety, and allowing you to concentrate wholly on your healing and progress. Therefore, please inform your support person about this requirement before each ketamine session. Please note that for all medicine sessions, having a support person present is mandatory.

What is a Support Person?

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The support person accompanying you during your sessions can be your partner, family member, close friend, roommate, or any trusted adult who can "hold space" for you. They play a crucial role in creating a secure, comfortable, and distraction-free environment, allowing you to concentrate entirely on your treatment.

Although your support person may primarily observe, they should be someone who can provide emotional support and contact the Isha Health care team if necessary. We suggest selecting someone with whom you have a positive and straightforward relationship because their emotions and energy can influence your experience in the treatment space.

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What is the role of your Support Person? 

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Before your session

• It is essential to be physically present and review these instructions thoroughly. If you or your Support Person have any questions, please feel free to contact us via email or book a check-in session from the booking link for brief preparation.

During your session

• Your Support Person should stay within voice range and visually check in on you every 15 minutes, ensuring they remain quiet and do not disturb you. They should maintain an environment free from distractions, such as noise, kids, or pets, and lend a hand if you need to stand or move around, such as using the restroom. Your Support Person should also gently nudge you to start journaling an hour after taking the medicine.

After your session

• It is advisable to bring you fresh fruit and caffeine-free tea or sparkling water. Your Support Person should also remind you to contact your doctor to let them know how the session went. Additionally, they should stay with you until you are alert and can move around safely, generally about 2 hours after taking the medicine.

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What should your Support Person expect during your treatment? 

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• Typically, the effects of the medication become noticeable about 10 minutes after placing the tablet in your mouth, and the peak effects last for 30-60 minutes. During this time, you will likely remain calm and still, in a moderately dissociated (disconnected from reality) and sedated state.
• While less common, some clients may laugh, cry, mumble, moan, make loud noises, or move their bodies in unusual ways. Additionally, some may experience fatigue, nausea, dizziness, lightheadedness, drowsiness, or headaches.
• It's important to note that side effects such as sedation or feeling "out of it" can last for an additional 60-90 minutes after peak effects wear off. Swallowing the ketamine can prolong these side effects for up to 4-6 hours after treatment and may (in rare cases) delay the onset of these effects by 60-90 minutes.

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When should you reach out to your Isha Health team for help? 

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We're here for you! Don't hesitate to contact your Isha Health team if:

• You’re concerned about the way the treatment is progressing, such as more disorientation or psychological distress than you think is normal or safe 
• Our client is experiencing physical discomfort/distress, such as vomiting 
• Our client is requesting an additional emotional support  

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While your Isha Health  team should almost always be your first point of contact, call 911 if any of the following occur:

• Lack of breathing 
• Lack of a detectable pulse
• Active suicidal or homicidal intent, such as threats of imminent violence to oneself or another person

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