72 Hour Hold

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NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • "A tightly woven, well-written story about mothers and daughters, highs and lows, ex-husbands and boyfriends.... Universally touching." — San Francisco Chronicle

Trina is eighteen and suffers from bi-polar disorder, making her paranoid, wild, and violent. Frightened by her own child, Keri searches for help, quickly learning that the mental health community can only offer her a seventy-two hour hold. After these three days Trina is off on her own again. Fed up with the bureaucracy and determined to save her daughter by any means necessary, Keri signs on for an illegal intervention known as The Program, a group of radicals who eschew the psychiatric system and model themselves after the Underground Railroad. In the upheaval that follows, she is forced to confront a past that refuses to stay buried, even as she battles to secure a future for her child.

336 pages, Paperback

First published June 28,2005

About the author

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Bebe Moore Campbell (February 18, 1950 – November 27, 2006), was the author of three New York Times bestsellers, Brothers and Sisters, Singing in the Comeback Choir, and What You Owe Me, which was also a Los Angeles Times "Best Book of 2001". Her other works include the novel Your Blues Ain't Like Mine, which was a New York Times Notable Book of the Year and the winner of the NAACP Image Award for Literature; her memoir, Sweet Summer, Growing Up With and Without My Dad; and her first nonfiction book, Successful Women, Angry Men: Backlash in the Two-Career Marriage. Her essays, articles, and excerpts appear in many anthologies.

Campbell's interest in mental health was the catalyst for her first children's book, Sometimes My Mommy Gets Angry, which was published in September 2003. This book won the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Outstanding Literature Award for 2003. The book tells the story of how a little girl copes with being reared by her mentally ill mother. Ms. Campbell was a member of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill and a founding member of NAMI-Inglewood. Her book 72 Hour Hold also deals with mental illness. Her first play, "Even with the Madness", debuted in New York in June 2003. This work revisited the theme of mental illness and the family.

As a journalist, Campbell wrote articles for The New York Times Magazine, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, Essence, Ebony, Black Enterprise, as well as other publications. She was a regular commentator for Morning Edition a program on National Public Radio.

(from Wikipedia)

Community Reviews

Rating(4 / 5.0, 100 votes)
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100 reviews All reviews
July 15,2025
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I was truly captivated by this book.

It presented a remarkable story of a single mother grappling with the bipolar diagnosis of her daughter in the vibrant city of LA.

The portrayal of the mental health system and bureaucracy in assisting those in greatest need was extraordinarily realistic.

It made me acutely aware of the challenges and complexities that individuals and families face in such situations.

I was particularly astonished by the ending of the book.

When the covert mutual aid group of psychiatric care was introduced, it seemed as if the story was headed in a completely different direction.

This unexpected turn added an element of mystery and intrigue, leaving me with a sense of wonder and a desire to explore further.

Overall, this book was a thought-provoking and engaging read that shed light on an important and often overlooked aspect of society.
July 15,2025
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I am by no means a professional book reviewer, but I do have a few thoughts to share about this particular book.

To begin with, I would like to state that overall, I do recommend this book as it offers an interesting read. If you have any inclination towards understanding mental illness and its impact on loved ones, it is definitely worth a read.

The opening of the book is truly captivating, drawing the reader in and creating a sense of anticipation. However, unfortunately, this momentum does not persist throughout the entire book. As the story progresses, the vision seems to lose some of its sharpness and falls a little flat. The primary focus of the book is on obtaining care for the daughter, Trina. Once she receives her "72 Hour Hold," the book appears to lose some of its traction. I firmly believe that the author could have delved deeper into this area. What occurs within a family after such difficult moments? How do they attempt to heal and make amends? What becomes the new normal for these families? Regrettably, the author only briefly touches upon some of these concepts, neglecting the full scope of Trina's recovery, which is a significant drawback of this book.

There are also other important issues that I feel compelled to note. Firstly, this book presents an overly simplistic view of what mentally ill individuals require during their recovery. The repeated notion is that if only they would take their medications. The author treats this as if it is the sole cure and the only essential element for recovery. However, if medications were truly that miraculous, we would not be grappling with relapses in the recovery process. The author fails to adequately explain why people stop taking their meds and other more complex reasons for relapse. Secondly, the book portrays certain triggers, specifically marijuana, as common triggers for all mentally ill individuals. This is also supported by some of the dialogue between the main characters and medical personnel or professionals. This oversimplification of complex issues within this community is concerning. For instance, with marijuana, some people may find it soothing and helpful, yet in the book, it is presented as a danger to every single mentally ill person. This is not the case, and readers should be aware that triggers can vary from person to person. Finally, it is important to note that this book should not be regarded as a legal guide for placing your loved one into psychiatric care. Laws differ from state to state, and some of the procedures described in this book are open to question.

On the positive side, I truly appreciated the representation in this book. It is often challenging to find books about mental illness from a minority's perspective. I found this aspect to be extremely interesting and it also shed some light on the different concerns that exist within this community. There are also some valuable takeaways, although I do think that some of them could have been developed more thoroughly.

In conclusion, I would recommend this book, but it is essential to keep in mind that it is not a memoir and not a true story. Therefore, there are some missing pieces and some elements that may seem a bit strange or not fully developed. Nevertheless, it was an enjoyable read, so I encourage you to give it a try!
July 15,2025
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This story was truly mentally draining! I have no idea how I managed to make it through.

Keri is indeed a great mother, and she did everything within her power to assist her daughter. I, too, consider myself a great mother, but I am NOT that particular mother. I was simply sick and tired of being constantly sick and tired of this storyline.

Mental health is an extremely real issue, and unfortunately, it is often overlooked within the African-American community. There is an urgent need for change! We must raise awareness about mental health and ensure that everyone has access to the support and resources they need. It is essential that we break the stigma surrounding mental illness and encourage open conversations. By doing so, we can help those who are suffering and create a more inclusive and understanding society.

July 15,2025
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We need to give greater emphasis to promoting mental health issues.

Tragically, the description provided was an accurate portrayal of Campbell's life prior to her untimely passing.

Mental health is often overlooked or stigmatized, yet it plays a crucial role in our overall well-being.

Campbell's story serves as a reminder of the importance of addressing mental health concerns proactively.

By increasing awareness and understanding, we can encourage those who are struggling to seek help and support.

It is essential that we create a society that is more empathetic and inclusive, where individuals feel comfortable opening up about their mental health challenges.

Only then can we hope to prevent similar tragedies and ensure that everyone has the opportunity to lead a healthy and fulfilling life.

Let us not remain silent about mental health any longer, but rather take action and make a positive difference in the lives of those around us.

July 15,2025
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So Touching

This is an incredibly sad and heartfelt story that truly touched my heart. Mental illness is an all-too-real and devastating issue for families. It can bring about a great deal of pain and turmoil. This book takes you on a bumpy road, filled with many dips downward, as you stand by and support a loved one who is dealing with mental illness. It allows you to experience the challenges, the emotions, and the journey that comes with it. Overall, it is a very good read that offers a deep and poignant look into the world of mental illness and the power of love and support. It makes you realize the importance of being there for those who are struggling and the impact that our actions can have on their lives.

July 15,2025
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I firmly believe that this is an outstanding book.

It truly delves deep into the arduous challenges and heart-wrenching losses that are intertwined with the experience of parenting a child who is grappling with mental health problems.

The author has done a remarkable job of bringing to light the complex emotions and practical difficulties that parents in such situations face on a daily basis.

I have had the pleasure of reading all of Bebe Moore Campbell's works, and each one has left a lasting impression on me.

Her writing is both poignant and powerful, making it impossible to put her books down once you start.

This particular book is no exception. It offers valuable insights and a great deal of empathy for those who are dealing with the unique struggles of parenting a child with mental health issues.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in understanding more about this important topic.
July 15,2025
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I firmly believe that this serves as an excellent illustration of the arduous struggle that a family can endure.

It showcases the various challenges and difficulties that they might face along the way.

Moreover, it also brings to light some of the inherent problems within the mental health system.

The family's experience highlights the shortcomings and inadequacies that exist, which can have a significant impact on their well-being and the support they receive.

It emphasizes the need for a more comprehensive and effective mental health system that can better address the complex needs of families in similar situations.

By understanding and acknowledging these issues, we can work towards making positive changes and improvements to ensure that families are not left to fend for themselves in the face of such overwhelming challenges.

This example serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of a strong and supportive mental health infrastructure for the benefit of all.
July 15,2025
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Fascinating look at mental illness in modern America.

As an ER nurse, I can confirm that the 72-hour hold system is simultaneously a useless and desperately necessary.

On one hand, it can seem useless because in some cases, 72 hours may not be enough time to truly assess and treat a patient's mental health condition.

The patient may be released before they are fully stable, only to end up back in the ER or in a more dangerous situation.

On the other hand, the 72-hour hold system is desperately necessary.

It provides a brief window of time to get a patient off the street, out of a potentially harmful environment, and into a place where they can receive the care and attention they need.

It also gives mental health professionals a chance to evaluate the patient and develop a treatment plan.

Overall, while the 72-hour hold system has its flaws, it is an important part of the mental health care system in modern America.
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