Before You Say Yes: A Parent’s Guide to Navigating Mental Health Crises Without Harm

Before you say yes to hospitalization or police intervention for your child’s mental health crisis, pause. Schools, hospitals, and crisis hotlines often default to calling 911 or sending kids to the ER—but these interventions can introduce trauma, coercion, and harm, especially for Black, Brown, and neurodivergent children. Police involvement escalates risk, ERs rely on restraint and sedation, and psychiatric labels can misdiagnose distress as defiance. You deserve FULL informed consent. This guide walks you through the risks, alternatives, and proactive steps to navigate crises safely—because the system won’t inform you, but you can prepare now. Read more to learn how to protect your child before a crisis happens.