In my opinion as a person who regularly struggles with suicidal thoughts and despair, what 988 and similar referrals/services are is a means to "outsource," the time and attention that should be provided by friends and family so that friends and family never have to bother.
As someone on THIS side of THIS issue what we fucking need is the people who are supposed to care about us to actually show up, hear what we need help with, and if they can actually help us through our challenges. Whether that is calling out a company for cheating and discriminating or it's calling out a profound apathy on the part of a social service driving a despair so deep there is no light visible when we look up.
And the whole industry, pushes us back to the very "resources," that are causing immense harm by only focusing on the symptoms and NEVER the sources. Why even bother "treating," my despair when the source of the despair is ruthless exploitation that is NEVER even acknowledged?
988 and related services aren't for the people who need help, it's a product for the people who don't want to get their hands dirty through actually helping someone. It's a non-religious "prayer."
May is #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth—a great time to check in on yourself & your loved ones. If you or someone in your life needs help, confidential support & treatment options are available. #MHAM24
💚 Help yourself & share to help others: samhsa.gov/find-help
