How to help family member with potential schizophrenia diagnosis

Hi @Luna_1

Thank you so much for your reply.

Unfortunately, my brother spent 7 months in custody due to his schizophrenia and even then, when I tried to help my hands as sister were tight as system is not design to help people with mental health issues.
My brother did not understand most of the things and they kept saying I need 'his permission' for everything.

Things have now escalated so much that he is involuntary admitted to hospital and is receiving medication.

I feel at least he finally has diagnosis which might help on our journey of healing.

I feel so bad about this and I do not want him to suffer alone and go through this experience as medications are very tough journey and there is so much trial and error.

I suffer from depression and anxiety and have been through that road, which is very difficult and lonely one.

I also believe in integrative approach to mental health (which I have tried and had lots of success) as schizophrenia is very complex issue and it also involves very basic nutritional deficiencies but we he has to get better first before I look at these options.

As he is facing homelessness as well after getting out of the hospital situation is very dire....

I really do not know what to do next...

I will contact Salvation Army maybe...

For anyone interested this site provides some insights into many causes of schizophrenia and mental illness.

NeuRA | Schizophrenia | Neuroscience Research Australia

I feel like that is where my brother will end up as he has been in and out of gaol since he was 18.

Did he get support in goal for the schizophrenia ?

Can I ask what happened for him to be involuntarily committed? This is what I was hoping for my brother.

It’s really tough isn’t it, my parents suffer with their own mental health issues as does my sister so I always feel like its my job to be the “fixer “ and support everyone. But unfortunately I just don’t know what to do here.

Have you thought about applying for guardianship for your brother? If you go to the NCAT website there is plenty of information on it. If deemed necessary they can appoint someone to make decisions for a person when they are incapable to do so. I feel like this is going to be the only way for us to get support. I just don’t know how easy it is to get the guardianship order in the first place

So sorry to heat that. It must be so hard for you.

I am in exactly the same situation with always being the "fixer" and family members being unable to support my brother properly.

In jail he was not diagnosed with anything as far as I know. They refused to acknowledge that he has any mental health issues.

In terms of "involuntarily committed" my parents had to call emergency as things escalated really bad.. it was our last resort to be honest...

Guardianship might be an option....

Hi, My daughter is also currently in hospital in involuntary admission, and she has been assigned a Social worker to advocate for Disability Support Pension etc.

You must talk to your Brother, is it?, and tell him to nominate you, or another family member, as a contact/carer, then you will be privy to information about his treatments, and be a contact point for his Social worker. You have to request and push for this. Or ask the Nurse-manager to get his permission for you.

I feel for your family, as my family has been impacted for over 15 yrs with her illness. It is heartbreaking to see your loved one so unwell.

Take care, and hoping all goes well.

Hi @Sujema ,

Welcome to the forums. I'm sorry to hear about your daughter. I hope you all get the support you need at this time.

Hi @Sujema

Thank you so much for your reply. It means so much to hear your advice.

Unfortunately, things have turned even worse for us, but I will try to help my brother as much as I can.

One good thing after 18 years of struggles with him is to finally have diagnosis, I guess

Wishing you and your daughter all the best in your healing journey.

Hi,

Does anyone have any resources or organisation I can contact in regard to schizophrenia family member in custody.

Our journey of one year dealing with corrective services and Legal aid in NSW has been horrendous and I understand that many have been going through this for years.

The journey with my brother spans about 20 years with his various health issues.

It feels that our whole family is being punished because my brother has mental health disorder and serious diagnosis.

The system is not designed to help but punish us, that is how we feel.

I am so angry seeing serious offenders walk free whilst my innocent brother is suffering so much. I also fear for his safety in many ways.