Connect with people who understand what you are going through, seek advice and surround yourself with support. We're free, anonymous, and professionally moderated 24/7.

47,612Members
1,358,869Posts
1,400,000Visitors

Support and resources

maui50New Contributor23 May 2025, 1:31 am AEST

Support and resources

Hi, I'm hoping someone can help me or point me in the right direction.

I'm very concerned about a family member in NSW who has over many years shown signs of mental health distress but now seems to have reached a crisis point. All our family is overseas and there is no one in his life there that any of us is in touch with.

He is communicating with only one person at the moment in the wider family and is clearly in trouble. We have tried getting him to help himself, but I think at this point he needs an intervention. He is showing signs of paranoia, with increasingly delusional and irrational behaviour. He is out of work and we think he's now homeless too.

What can the authorities do to help him? Where should we go for help and further support?

2 replies

1 - 2 of 2

In response to: Support and resources

mazza3Contributor23 May 2025, 11:22 am AEST

Re: Support and resources

I've had support from MIND Australia. I hope this is helpful.

In response to: Support and resources

Ru-beeModerator23 May 2025, 11:40 am AEST

Re: Support and resources

Hi @maui50

Firstly, welcome to the forums

It's an incredibly hard position to be in; seeing that a loved one is struggling but not knowing how to help them. While we can talk about different supports that may be available, it is ultimately up to the person to engage in these, which I know can be very hard to hear.

In terms of what authorities can do, they can step in when a person appears to be posing serious immediate risk of harm to themselves or others. You can request a welfare check if you know where he is living at the moment, though I'm hearing he might not be at a permanent address.

The other option is to provide him with support resources near him so that he can seek support. Ideally someone could offer to help him with this in person, but I hear that this isn't an option in this case.

To find supports near him Ask Izzy is a great tool and list a large number of different supports on their database, from mental health, to legal, to housing. Another option could be to check whether there is a Safe Haven near your family member, as this is a peer-led space rather than a clinical one and may be more approachable. Third, I might recommend giving the SANE Helpline a call on 1800 187 263, as they can discuss further options with you that are more specific to your family member's location.

Lastly, I'd say look after yourself too. It's a really hard position to be in, so be gentle with yourself.

Take care

1 - 2 of 2