Every show with a suicide now has a disclaimer with a suicide hotline at the beginning. Is there any evidence that these warnings make a positive difference? - eviltoast

Every show with a suicide now has a disclaimer with a suicide hotline at the beginning. Is there any evidence that these warnings make a positive difference?

  • fine_sandy_bottom@lemmy.federate.cc
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    3 months ago

    I think this kind of anecdotal horror story exists in every country, but of course it’s not the usual outcome.

    There’s a whole chain of people involved in a process like this, and I have a hard time believing that everyone in that chain routinely locks up healthy people just to give themselves more work to do.

    I think it’s far more likely that there are many people who genuinely should spend a few days in a psych ward but are unable to due to a lack of resources.

    • stoly@lemmy.world
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      3 months ago

      This isn’t anecdotal. It’s really quite a common response that only further traumatizes the victims and leaves them with a financial burden.

      • fine_sandy_bottom@lemmy.federate.cc
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        3 months ago

        This is really reductive and doesn’t really consider how complex these situations can be.

        What should police or first responders do when someone is at risk of harming themselves or others?

        Whatever your answer, consider that the person is already having a bad day, and there are no on the spot cures for what ails them.

        Hospitals in general are not nice places to be, as a patient. If you’re there for a physical illness it’s still traumatic.

        You don’t go there to have a nice time, you go there to avoid the worst outcomes, like death.

        I am certain that there are very, very few instances where people end up in a psych ward when there’s better places for them.

        • stoly@lemmy.world
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          3 months ago

          People are there because their lives suck. Traumatizing them and putting them in debt just makes the suffering worse. Putting them through this process DOES NOT help them.

          • fine_sandy_bottom@lemmy.federate.cc
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            3 months ago

            Sorry mate, this is just plain wrong.

            People are there because they have complex medical conditions which require specialist personnel and facilities.

            Yes it can be scary and expensive, but it’s the best way to manage a shit situation.

            • stoly@lemmy.world
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              3 months ago

              If you are experiencing psychosis, then this will absolutely help you. If you are suicidal, it will not.

              • fine_sandy_bottom@lemmy.federate.cc
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                3 months ago

                That’s not really true.

                For a lot of people who are suicidal, a psych ward is precisely the right place for them. There are appropriately trained people to develop a treatment plan, and appropriate facilities to prevent a suicidal person from harming themselves.

                I absolutely acknowledge that being taken to a psych ward against your will is going to be traumatic for anyone. I also acknowledge that in some cases the patient might end up feeling worse than they did before they went.

                However, I’m certain that you can acknowledge that taking someone to a psych ward against their will is often the only way to prevent them harming themselves.