The important thing to know is that being detained (in California it’s called being 5150ed) is a possible result. For some kids, whose parents refuse to consider providing treatment, this might be a reasonable option. But remember, it’s a psych ward.

There are confused, depressed people there as well as truly psychotic people who, until they are assessed, might be rooming with you. That can be traumatic. The neighbors will see you hauled off. You’ll have a reputation in the neighborhood. All these things might be worth it to save a life but they also might make the problem worse. Hotlines are not ideal solutions, but they do help some people.

I appreciate your perspective. It’s worth considering.