![]() ![]() Those who were sent involuntarily are more likely to attempt suicide than those who chose to go, and involuntary commitments can make young people less likely to disclose their suicidal feelings in the future. Research shows suicide rates increase drastically in the months after people are discharged from psychiatric hospitals. "I realize there is an urge to rescue people in crisis, but the reality is the services that exist make the problem much, much worse," said Winston, who works in mental health peer support and has started an online support group for people recovering from involuntary treatment. It's true that when police respond to calls about people in mental health crises, they often take them to an emergency room or psychiatric hospital. Winston hadn't called the hotline, but she said those who do can end up in a similar situation. She said that she did not receive any counseling during the 24 hours she spent there and that the experience was "extremely traumatic." She hoped to speak with a psychiatrist but instead was involuntarily detained in the psychiatric wing of the emergency room. Last summer, Winston was having suicidal thoughts and visited a hospital in New York. Liz Winston, who authored the Instagram post calling 988 "not friendly," said she wanted people to understand all the potential outcomes of calling so they wouldn't be blindsided by the "traumatizing system" that she experienced. We reached out to the creators of some of the social media posts to ask them directly. Why are some people saying not to call 988? So is 988 a critical mental health resource or a cause for concern? We decided to dig into these questions, figure out how 988 works, and explain what you need to know before dialing. Other posts on Instagram and Twitter conveyed similar concerns, saying that the hotline sends law enforcement officers to check on people at risk of suicide without their consent and that people, especially from LGBTQ+ communities and communities of color, may be forced into treatment. ![]() Don't call it, don't post it, don't share it, without knowing the risks." The post, which had garnered nearly a quarter of a million likes as of early August, went on to list the risks as police involvement, involuntary treatment at emergency rooms or psychiatric hospitals, and the emotional and financial toll of those experiences. One Instagram post said, "988 is not friendly. Some advocates and people who had experiences with the mental health system took to social media to voice concerns about 988 and warn people not to call it. ![]()
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