I’m aware of a lot of this dynamic and have written extensively about it elsewhere - in this case though, especially looking back, it was ridiculous. I was extremely stressed about finals and didnt know what to do. Was borderline homeless and struggling to support myself. I had never seen a counselor or therapist before and was mildly depressed. she asked me a few leading questions like “how would you feel if you failed your finals and dropped out?” and I said something along the lines of “I guess I’d feel suicidal.” then, “do you feel suicidal now?” and I said I wasn’t sure. Then she goes, “so you cant tell me if you go home right now, you cant guarantee me you won’t kill yourself?”

now at this point I had zero ideation even, no plan, no intentions of killing myself, but being a pedantic dork studying philosophy I said I wasn’t sure about that, because I really wasn’t sure what to say. 10 minutes later a cop shows up, puts me in handcuffs, parades me off campus in them and people I knew saw it. I had absolutely no clue what was going on and had to sign papers I didn’t want to sign and when I protested the answer was basically “you can come voluntarily or with force, your choice.”

It ended up doing far more harm than good for me. I know physicians personally that will often throw people into 72 hour holds in the ER “just to be safe,” either not understanding or caring the long term consequences of being put in an involuntary hold. These same physicians have told me she did the “right” thing but anyone with common sense and experience could figure out very quickly I was not a danger to anyone. I was just trying to find some help because I was overwhelmed.