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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Bebe Moore Campbell's '72 Hour Hold' is an incredibly powerful yet challenging read.

It offers an honest and unfiltered depiction of the truly devastating impact that bipolar disorder can have on families. Campbell particularly shines a light on the unique struggles faced by Black individuals within the mental health system.

For me, the reading experience was a bit of a mixed bag. At times, the book felt a bit slow, and I found myself less engaged with the story's journey in the middle. However, when it came to the raw and visceral portrayal of the protagonist's experience, it was truly moving. The constant fear, the overwhelming sense of helplessness, and the agonizing reality of watching a loved one seemingly vanish into the grip of the illness were all vividly brought to life. The endless days of mania, knowing that you are completely powerless and all you can do is wait for something to change, and the feeling that your loved one has been replaced by a different version of themselves – these are all emotions that anyone who has lived with someone with bipolar disorder can deeply relate to.

As someone with firsthand experience in this regard, I have to say that I deeply appreciated Campbell's unflinching portrayal of the emotional rollercoaster and the sense of powerlessness that often accompanies it.

While the pacing of the book wasn't perfect, I still believe that '72 Hour Hold' deserves 3 stars. Its unwavering honesty and its important exploration of the complex and often overlooked aspects of mental illness make it a valuable read.

**Introduction**

In Bebe Moore Campbell's novel “72 Hour Hold,” an astonishing work that delves into the theme of unconditional love in the context of mental illness. The author, Bebe Moore Campbell, was an accomplished American author, journalist, and teacher. She was the writer of several bestselling New York Times novels. Campbell had a profound interest in mental health and co-founded a chapter of The National Alliance for the Medically Ill. Throughout her life, she dedicated herself to providing education and awareness about mental illness, encouraging those suffering to come forward and assuring them that recovery is possible. As an African American, Campbell was acutely aware of the stigma surrounding mental illness in the African American community, which makes it challenging for people to acknowledge and accept their mental illness. She always made sure to empower sufferers, teaching them that they can take control of their lives and not let mental illness consume them. Although the book is fictional, it is likely based on many real-life stories. The concept of a 72-hour hold refers to the period during which a hospital or psychiatric institution can detain a mentally ill person against their will for assessment to determine if they pose a risk of harm to themselves or others. This novel beautifully portrays a mother's unwavering love for her daughter and how she copes with her daughter's breakdowns while dealing with her ex-husband's denial about their daughter's condition.

**Summary**

The book “72 Hour Hold” revolves around a woman named Keri, whose daughter Trina has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. It begins by highlighting the stigma associated with mental illness in the African American community and the difficulties her daughter will face as part of this stigmatized group. Keri's ex-husband refuses to accept that their daughter is mentally ill, believing it to be just a phase, especially since no one in their family has such an illness. The novel effectively presents various stories of what it's like for someone with bipolar disorder to go through different aspects of the illness. Trina experiences numerous violent episodes, leading her mother to call for SMART agents to hold her for 72 hours to prevent self-harm and ensure she takes her medications. Keri constantly struggles and worries about her daughter, who often skips her medications, resulting in violent outbursts and overnight disappearances. Keri gives her daughter several ultimatums to ensure she takes her medication, hoping it will improve her condition and stop her abnormal behavior. Whenever Keri notices her daughter's bipolar symptoms, she immediately calls the agents to have her treated. She wishes the doctors could keep her daughter on hold for longer than 72 hours, hoping that proper treatment facilities can provide a permanent solution. Eventually, Trina's father realizes that his daughter is indeed suffering from mental illness and acknowledges the need for help. However, during her violent episodes, Keri blames and disrespects her mother with harsh words. Keri also has frequent concerns about what will happen when her daughter turns 18, as the psych ward can no longer hold her involuntarily, and she may walk away without completing the necessary treatments to stabilize her condition. Through Keri's experiences with her daughter, the issue of mental illness is brought to the forefront, and there is a determination to help her daughter overcome the episodes and accept her condition.

**Analysis**

The author has done an outstanding job of depicting the symptoms of people with mental illness. Mental illness is stigmatized in many communities, and acceptance often changes when a loved one is diagnosed. For example, in the book, Keri says, “That’s when I knew she wanted to hurt me. I knew that what was wrong was soul deep and strong as chains. What was wrong wasn’t drugs. What was wrong was why she needed them. My baby is sick.” (Campbell, B. 72 Hour Hold p. 26) This shows that many people struggle to accept a loved one's mental illness until they亲眼目睹 the problem. It takes time to acknowledge mental illness and figure out how to deal with it. Despite her difficult relationship with her own mother, Keri is determined to have a different relationship with her daughter, which drives her to do everything possible to help her daughter control her illness. However, Keri is dissatisfied with the system because, since her daughter is under 18, the only way to get her help is through a 72-hour hold to ensure she takes her medications. Even though a person is placed under a 72-hour hold, it is only temporary, and many patients have trouble taking their medications, which makes it difficult for them to recover and receive proper treatment. The book effectively showcases the difficulties faced by those involved in handling mental health issues and emphasizes the importance of not letting it consume one's life and finding ways to overcome the illness.
**Conclusion**

Overall, “72 Hour Hold” is an excellent book that demonstrates the passion and unconditional love that a person experiences when faced with the unimaginable. Campbell has done a remarkable job of expressing mental health issues, particularly bipolar disorder and its symptoms. The fact that bipolar symptoms can occur suddenly and without warning makes it challenging for sufferers to find ways to cope. The novel focuses on the mother's efforts to help her daughter return to her normal state. I appreciate how the book shows that mental illness not only affects the patient deeply but also takes a toll on their loved ones. It also highlights how the healthcare system responds to people with mental illness, with the limitation of only providing accurate support for 72 hours before patients are released back into the real world without mandatory follow-ups or treatment plans. Campbell has effectively presented this aspect of the healthcare system, emphasizing the need for more work to be done in handling patients and providing them with resources beyond the 72-hour hold. The only area where Campbell could have improved was in emphasizing the character development. Keri has had many traumas in her life related to her mother, and it would have been beneficial to know more about them at the beginning of the book to gain a better understanding of the character as a whole.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was an extremely engaging read that offered a realistic and profound look inside the world of a family member of a mentally ill person. The story masterfully chronicles the various real life pressures that people have to face when dealing with a crippling mental illness. It delves deep into the emotional turmoil, the practical challenges, and the complex web of relationships that are affected. The author's vivid descriptions and细腻的 characterizations make the reader feel as if they are right there, experiencing everything along with the characters. It is not just a story, but a powerful exploration of a topic that is often overlooked or misunderstood. This book has truly opened my eyes and made me more empathetic towards those who are dealing with such difficult situations.

I hadn't gotten far into the book when I found myself checking the blurb.

Twice.

This is FICTION??? I asked myself repeatedly.

Cause I could swear this woman LIVED with me.

Later on I found out just how close Ms Moore Campbell's ties to bipolar disorder really were. The rumors were flying rampantly that this was based on her life with her daughter Mia Campbell, the UPN sitcom star who became far more "famous" for her crack-induced escapades.

No one knows how troubling it is to sit by helplessly while your child descends into madness, especially when nine times out of ten that "madness", in the literal sense of the word, is directed squarely at yourself. Compounding the problem is the inability, however justified by our treatment in this country, of Black people as a community to accept a diagnosis of mental illness.

No: a Good A$$ Whippin is NOT THE CURE for Bipolar Disorder.

Ask Me How I Know.

Like Keri, I play the What If game often. Nights my son has

"Walked Away" are spent in fitful prayer, hoping God has mercy on my child and keeps him from making a decision he might find impossible to live with.

I rooted for Keri, and especially for Trina, during their on-the-road ordeal; for I too long for a "Magical Cure" which will restore my beautiful and once charming son back to his former, "normal", state.

The ultimate outcome, however, turned out to be as much of a "miracle" as the mother of any mentally challenged child could hope for. Real life doesn't always imitate art however.

My prayers are with Mia.

I was truly intrigued by this book from the very beginning. The blurb made me question whether it was really fiction or not. As I delved deeper, I discovered the connection to bipolar disorder and the rumors about it being based on real life. It made me think about the struggles that parents face when their children have mental illnesses. The fact that Black people often have difficulty accepting such diagnoses only adds to the complexity. I can relate to the mother in the story, playing the What If game and hoping for a miracle. The on-the-road ordeal of Keri and Trina had me on the edge of my seat, rooting for them. Although the outcome was somewhat of a miracle, I know that in real life, things aren't always so perfect. My heart goes out to all those who are dealing with mental illness, especially Mia. I will continue to keep her in my prayers.