I am very new to this site. Decided that I need to join in order to get some answers from individuals who are in/have been in the same place. To make a long story short my older sister has been acting really strange lately exhibiting odd behavior for her like insomnia, falling asleep at work, mood swings, forgetful, concentration problems, pacing, figity, nervous, etc. Yesterday she was fired from her job in a clinic and there are accusations that she stole some medication (narcotics). She has been refusing to go to the Dr. for the past week because she was busy at work. I told her to get a drug test to prove them wrong at work and I don't know if she has. She got really beligerant with them at work, which I'm sure anybody would under the circumstances. I asked her what happened and she can't remember. My father went to her house to ask her about it and she got beligerant and threw him out. No one can reach her and her co-workers informed us that she said she should just go kill herself. I have thought over the past month or so that she was depressed which is why my family kept asking her to go to Dr., but she never has. I now she's upset about loosing her job on top of being accused of such a thing, but my family and I are at our witts end. We don't know what to do. We've tried calling with no luck. We don't want to push her over the edge, but we don't want her to hurt herself or her children. Any suggestions on what could be done? When my father went to see her last night she assumed he was there to accuse her about her "drug" problem and that's why she shut him out. I'm so lost...

I am sorry that your sister and your family have to go through such a thing. It seems very apparent that your sister is depressed and/or going through some major personal issues. To be precise, she needs professional help IMMEDIATELY, and I think that is the message you should strive to get across to her above all else. If you and your family are having trouble contacting her, try talking to her friends and see if you can get to her that way. She needs help, perhaps medication. It is good that you guys are so concerned about her. Best of luck, and keep things updated.

Clueless:

Your sister and her kids are fortunate that you are loving and brave enough to take action.

Below I have a link to a web page on mental health crisis intervention--just the essentials.

It sounds like your sister is in a real crisis. You don't have to go through this alone. I would call the nearest suicide hotline. (1-800-SUICIDE) willl connect you to a line near you. Explain the situation, and ask them what steps you can take. The types of services and procedures for dealing with mental health crises vary in different localities. If this doesn't work, call 911 and they'll connect you with the right help. But please, call for expert advice and help NOW.

You had better prepare yourself to get the authorities involved, whether that's a mobile mental health crisis team, child welfare agency, paramedics, or the police. They all have the training and experience to deal with this sort of situation.

Here's the website :

http://www.mental-health-today.com/suicide/sui2.htm

Good luck and stay in touch,

--Kj--