[sarahsweets]

https://www.thedailybeast.com/when-g...s-jail?via=ios

Read This: "When Going to the Hospital Is Just as Bad as Jail"
This article talks about bipolar, mental illness and the disproportionate affect on people of color. But I also think many of us can validate and identify in some way.

[*Beth*]

I have no doubt that it's worse for people of color. And you're correct; I can sure identify. The last time I went IP it was because of a vague post about suicide I made on Facebook. My cousin read it and called the cops. I was entirely compliant. I told the cops that it had been just a vague Fb post. The cops were bullying. They literally pounced on me, grabbed my arms and handcuffed me. It was terrifying. They dumped me in a psych ER...the whole thing felt like I had robbed a convenience store and been arrested. All because of a stupid Fb post! The ER was absolutely horrible. It was all a traumatizing mess.


I tell people never to call 911 or any police emergency number. If you have a mental illness, you are likely to be "arrested."

Calling your local police department may be a better option. if your fear is based on fact, then it is likely you have already done your research to avoid this type of thing from happening again. Please present yourself well, be confident in your actions, consider how other people are feel and have an emergency plan.

Thank you for creating this post.

[Mountaindewed]

My therapist is always like call 911 if your feeling SI. Yeah that might have worked when I was a 13 year old kid but I am scared about what the cops would do as a 27 year old. I’d rather just go voluntarily to the ER. Sometimes I legit think therapists don’t care about what hospitals do to their clients just as long as their client is “safe”

[*Beth*]

There are towns and cities (my town is one) that are implementing crisis management teams. No ambulance (for threatened suicide), no cops. The crisis team is a trained mental health team of 2 that will go to the person's home (or wherever the person is located) and talk with them. The mental health team is not uniformed, nor do they carry weapons.

I am excited about the implementation of such a program in my town. I would never admit to being suicidal again, never. Not to anyone. I never want anyone wearing a uniform called on me again. A lot of people think they're being helpful by calling 911, but they are not.

[MuddyBoots]

Ive had downright traumatizing experiences with help.

Possible trigger:

I dont remember what happened when I had tegretol toxicity, but when I came out of that blackout I was in the ER covered in bruises from restrains and police officers with my arse hanging out from them ripping the safety clothes to inject something into me.
I remember another time I was held at gunpoint because my girlfriend called 911 and they thought the pink paint that was all over my head and body was blood and that I had a knife (dont know why they thought that, I clearly didn’t). Yeah, I was manic, but did you really need to point a gun at me?

There are better ways of doing things than physically injuring or threatening someone who just needs help. I refuse to call the crisis line because they ALWAYS send the cops out. The first thing they ask is your address/where you are.
A different clinic in the state has this thing where you can call them and they’ll send a couple people to your house. I did that once, didn’t help, but, it didn’t hurt.

[*Beth*]

Originally Posted by Sapien

Ive had downright traumatizing experiences with help.

Possible trigger:

I dont remember what happened when I had tegretol toxicity, but when I came out of that blackout I was in the ER covered in bruises from restrains and police officers with my arse hanging out from them ripping the safety clothes to inject something into me.
I remember another time I was held at gunpoint because my girlfriend called 911 and they thought the pink paint that was all over my head and body was blood and that I had a knife (dont know why they thought that, I clearly didn’t). Yeah, I was manic, but did you really need to point a gun at me?

There are better ways of doing things than physically injuring or threatening someone who just needs help. I refuse to call the crisis line because they ALWAYS send the cops out. The first thing they ask is your address/where you are.
A different clinic in the state has this thing where you can call them and they’ll send a couple people to your house. I did that once, didn’t help, but, it didn’t hurt.

That is horrifying. What an awful experience.

Cops are traditionally not trained to deal with mental health crisis, that's for sure. In Calif we have some cops that receive "CIT" (Crisis Intervention Training). So far, I haven't been impressed. They still wear uniforms and carry weapons.

Ew, I didn't know crisis lines asked for the caller's location. Thanks for the heads-up.

[HALLIEBETH87]

They dont really HAVE to ask where you are. they can locate you. i used a crisis chat room and next thing i know a state trooper was banging on our door. he was CIT so he was trained and very nice but i was scared. he called for an ambulance and they were gonna arrest me and take me.

[*Beth*]

Originally Posted by HALLIEBETH87

They dont really HAVE to ask where you are. they can locate you. i used a crisis chat room and next thing i know a state trooper was banging on our door. he was CIT so he was trained and very nice but i was scared. he called for an ambulance and they were gonna arrest me and take me.

OMG. That's just so messed up. Thanks for letting others know. I wonder what would have happened if you (or someone else) hadn't opened the door?

[unlived]

Originally Posted by BethRags

There are towns and cities (my town is one) that are implementing crisis management teams. No ambulance (for threatened suicide), no cops. The crisis team is a trained mental health team of 2 that will go to the person's home (or wherever the person is located) and talk with them. The mental health team is not uniformed, nor do they carry weapons.

I am excited about the implementation of such a program in my town. I would never admit to being suicidal again, never. Not to anyone. I never want anyone wearing a uniform called on me again. A lot of people think they're being helpful by calling 911, but they are not.

We have something like that in some places in Australia. It’s called COMHET (community mental health emergency team). They come out and see you and assess you and take you to hospital if you need it. The police / ambulance still get involved though if you refuse to go and they think you’re a danger. COMHET also manages you in the community (psychiatrist / home visits etc) for a short while.

[MuddyBoots]

Originally Posted by BethRags

OMG. That's just so messed up. Thanks for letting others know. I wonder what would have happened if you (or someone else) hadn't opened the door?

“Open the door or we’ll kick it down”