Suicidal brother - need support

Hi @acaringsister ..... and welcome to the forums 👋

My circumstances are very different, but I am both the wife and mother to family members struggling with mental health issues. Suicide ideation is not part of what we have going on, but I feel for you and many others here who do have that particular element to try to cope with.

I hope you find the forums helpful. Please ask any questions you may have to help you find your way around, and I or someone else will help you with them.

🌷💜

Hi @acaringsister,

Welcome to the forums.

What a difficult time for you and your Mum. You're brother is so very lucky to have you looking out for him.

Suicide Helplines are there for you and your Mum to talk to about what is happening with your brother if you would like to talk it through. See below link:

https://www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au/

It's important to look after yourself and do things that help you to cope. Some time out doing things you like and keeping up with regular routines can also be very helpful.

I wish you all the best and hope things get better for your brother, yourself and the family.

Joe the Lion

Carers Hints and Tips for Success

Hi again @acaringsister .....

Click on the link above for a thread that may be helpful to you. As @JoeTheLion said, looking after yourselves (you and your Mum) and seeking your own support as a carer is just as important as accessing as much help as you can for your brother. “Carers burnout” is a real thing. You have to keep the question, “Who is caring for the carer ?” in mind in order to help safeguard your own mental health and well-being.

The Home page has a series of Discussion Topics laid out there, including one called Social Spaces. It can be hard to think of socialising under such heart-breaking conditions, but these threads are actually about bonding with other carers who understand the trauma you are going through as a family, and how helpless you can feel as a carer, wanting to support your family member, but knowing also that they have to let you in, and struggle so hard themselves, that the relationships and bonds of love are under great strain.

Other carers here can listen, answer what questions they can, empathise, offer advice according to what has helped them, including outside services that they may be aware of, and what sort of questions to ask health professionals.

The Search button can also help link you to others who are in a similar situation to your own, if you type in a key word or two.

Welcome again. Feel free to ask questions .... and we would love to meet your Mum too ....

🌷💜