Alternatives to 911 for Suicidality
This community resource was created by folks with lived experience with suicidality as an alternative to current crisis supports that can sometimes be unhelpful, harmful, or unsafe for mad or mentally ill folks.
This offering was given via consensual comments and direct messages on Instagram, curated by @Dandelion.Hill and @Kaitlin_TheRelatableTherapist
When we think of safety planning, we like to split options into 3 categories:
THINGS YOU CAN DO FOR YOURSELF IN THE MOMENT
A range of small to big actions you can do for yourself in times of crisis.
THINGS OTHERS CAN DO FOR YOU IN THE MOMENT
A range of small to big actions that another trusted person in your life can do for you in times of crisis.
THINGS YOU CAN DO BEFOREHAND + IDEAS FOR CHANGE
Proactive steps to take on your own or with trusted supports to plan in advance for times of crisis; recommendations for social services.
Note: Included are unfiltered responses from people with lived experience (categorized by Kaitlin Baldwin, RP).
An uncategorized version exists here and was created by @Dandelion.Hill.
We are all nuanced and complex individuals so what works for one, might not work for you.
Please take what resonates and leave what doesn’t.
THINGS YOU CAN DO FOR YOURSELF
IN THE MOMENT
"My connection to animals saved my life."
"Acceptance work and depathologizing. Understanding suicidal thoughts are a normal response to pain and suffering. Learning to live with them and not be afraid of them. Having people that don’t panic or become disturbed by hearing about them."
"Medication to handle the moment (either rx or self). Text/chat (non verbal options) with a Peer. Someone who’s been there."
THINGS OTHERS CAN DO FOR YOU
IN THE MOMENT
having local friends or comrades come over & spend some time with me 💖 help eating: having someone cook for & eat with me or order delivery for me 💖 phone or video calls to share space, hang out, distract + keep me company 💖 check-ins + phone calls 💖 ppl reaching out to ME & offering me a few tangible ideas of what they can offer (vs. ppl being like "let me know if you need anything" etc.) 💖
"If it’s just intrusive thoughts: Helping me to limit overwhelm in the moment, to slow things down, to simplify things, dont force me to make too many choices, I need to rest and feel like someone else is able to catch me in that moment so I don’t sink.
If it’s an urge I might act on, help me redirect the energy to a safer outlet - let’s go break shit and scream together. Don’t tell me to calm down, don’t ignore me or deny what’s happening, just help me find a safe way to redirect the energy."
THINGS YOU CAN DO BEFOREHAND
+ IDEAS FOR SOCIAL CHANGE
"Alternatives to psychiatric incarceration, peer support, respites, non-carceral mobile crisis response, & community to lean on for emotional and material support. Not depending on the state to help has been so important and life saving for me.
I wish that there were more of these resources available to save lives and offer actual care, but I am so grateful that people are creating and cultivating them more and more. We keep us safe."
"having my immediate, urgent and basic survival needs met. sometimes that’s a tall ask under these structures but there should be more pooling of funds, community micro grants and other material mutual aid resources out there for MMINDDS folks who cannot afford our basic needs. often it’s the fact that i’m struggling to afford the roof over my head or food that pushes me over the edge."
"im an international student in Toronto n something I’ve used is their 211 program which is a 911 alternative / not cops. It’s a program of the Gerstein Crisis Centre I believe (who amongst other things, has some emergency beds for temporary stays of 3-5 days I believe) but in v extreme situations where I felt unsafe they were able to come directly to me, ended up calling an uber to a hospital for myself & some friends, came w me in the uber & then I opted to check in to the hospital but when I was discharged, they also called me to check in as part of a 48 hour check (though w my hospital stay it was more than 48 hours)
And just having a non cop alternative to call in a crisis moment + knowing they’re trauma informed (also aware that medical systems can be carceral so..this isn’t where all resources should go n shouldn’t be the only option) but yeah just sharing as smth I’ve personally used that is being rolled out wider on a city level.
then also just having stronger community connections like im well connected where I study n things but idk where community fridges n things like that are where I grew up. I am not connected to my neighbors there anymore so just more public space to connect with people near n on residential areas would be so meaningful for me bc that allows for so so much.
also sorry this is such a long comment but thinking about PSOs as they relate to abortion access n care n wondering if similar practical support orgs n directories could be set up around suicidality n support + care w that
+ resourcing more folks! love the alt to suicides zines I’ve seen & I try to direct folks to the @callbubbie resources a lot, too! - rads <3"