Desperately seeking help and support for a childhood best friend

Hi @teck3004, welcome to the Forums. It’s clear how much you care about your friend, and it must be incredibly distressing to see someone you’ve known for so long struggling like this. It’s understandable that you want to help, especially when she seems to have so little support around her.

If she’s experiencing suicidal thoughts and her mental state has deteriorated significantly, please seek urgent support if you believe she may be in immediate danger. You can call 000 for an emergency. You could also contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 for guidance, or Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467.

For practical support, Ask Izzy (https://askizzy.org.au) can help you find local homelessness, housing, food and mental health services. If she’s willing, a local homelessness access service or community mental health team may also be able to help her access support. If drug use may be involved, the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline is available on 1800 250 015.

I hope you’re able to find some services that can help your friend, while making sure you’re looking after yourself too 💛

Hi @teck3004 ,

Most people don't have experience handling situations like these, so it's understandably very distressing for you. Unfortunately, it's also something that is ultimately outside of your control. Unless your friend is at immediate risk of suicide or harm to others, they must give consent for any treatment.

Knowledge is power, so it's wise you have reached out for more information. You can give information to your friend, or you can call any of these services yourself to discuss the situation. But the biggest support you can give them is being a non-judgemental and patient listening ear.

https://www.lifeline.org.au/get-help/support-toolkit/topics/suicide#for-friends-family-suicide may help you manage suicidal ideation.

Homeless support services tend to be location based, but a good start from a service that manages multiple aspects of this situation are the Salvos https://www.salvationarmy.org.au/services-and-support/homelessness-support-services/

A Foodbank locator is at https://findfood.foodbank.org.au. They sometimes have other supports.

Mental health crisis support is explained at https://www.lifeline.org.au/get-help/support-toolkit/topics/suicide#for-friends-family-suicide

Medicare Mental Health 1800 595 212 can give you the location of the nearest walk-in support centre.

Hi @teck3004

That sounds like a lot for you to deal with. You are a good friend.

If your friend appears to be hearing voices or responding to things that aren't there, then that seems like a very bad sign to me.

Is there any way she would agree to attend the emergency department of a hospital with you? If she will agree to it, then she can be properly assessed there. To be honest, it does sound like she needs immediate care to me.

I'm wondering if she has any contact with a GP or any services at the moment? If so, maybe you could make an appointment with her GP for her and attend with her, to explain your concerns. Hopefully she will agree to this.

Stay as calm as you can and do what you can. I'm sorry that you have to go through this.

Hi@teck3004

I understand your concerns. She is very lucky to have someone that cares for her. It is a very tricky situation to be in. Unless she consents to get help there isn't much that can be done. Which really sux because sometimes people don't realise how unwell they are. The only thing you can do is keep in contact with her and encourage her to get help. Tell her that you are there for her without putting pressure on her. The only other thing you could try is to ask the police to do a welfare check on her. Ask her if she needs anything. Like food, water etc. Maybe suggest to her that you both together to see a GP or go to the hospital. You can also call the mental healthline in your area and see what practical advice they might offer.

@teck3004

Regarding hearing voices, it can be a symptom of schizophrenia and other mental health disorders. But hearing voices can also be caused by:

• Traumatic life experiences
• Stress
• Lack of sleep
• Genetics
• Extreme hunger
• Physical illness
• Drugs and alcohol use- recreational or prescribed

(https://www.unitingvictas.org.au/services/mental-health/hearing-voices-support/).

Whilst some people need treatment to eliminate distressing voices (medical model) and/or learn to understand and live with them (peer model), some people actually find their voices comforting/supportive.

• https://www.sane.org/information-and-resources/the-sane-blog/wellbeing/self-help-when-hearing-voices
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syjEN3peCJw

So good there are so many good eggs on these forums who give well thought out advice and support for those to are going through or supporting someone going through some tough situations. Inspiring