Okay... First off, my aunt (fathers sister) killed herself 5 yrs back. My dad has slowly fallen into depression. Although now he is at the bottom of the pitts. It's really bad. My mother and father seperated after 30 yrs of marriage. He has lost everything ( home, and all money ) through gambleing. He has enough to buy an RV and start over. I mean he can make it, but barely. Although he is just losing his mind. He has so much guilt, and lives in the past. Is ashamed of who he is. Says he deserves to go to hell. He says he already feels dead. He knows he's selfish for wanting to end his life, although can't help his feelings. Crys all the time. Talks about his mistakes in life, has NO hope. I try everything to cheer him up, and make sure he knows I will be there for him to start over. Iv'e said all I can say. He won't listen. I sat on the suicide hotline on hold for over an hour last night. He refused help. I feel helpless as to knowing what to do? Who has been through this? Help?
2007-01-06 07:37:53 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Mental Health
Call the police and tell them you need your father Baker Acted. Tell them everything you just wrote.
The Baker Act allows the authorities to take someone in for observation if they are deemed a threat to themselves or others.
2007-01-08 12:24:52 · answer #1 · answered by The Notorious Doctor Zoom Zoom 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is not good for you to have to "cheerlead" your father. I know you have said all you can. Now, its sort of up to him. Maybe the 10-step program Gamblers Anonymous is something he can do. He needs to see a Psychiatrist to get some mood elevating drugs to get him out of this depression hes in. Maybe it would be also wise if he could talk to someone about the way he feels-He might do that in Gamblers Anonymous. Remember: He could still do a bunch of good in his life. The worth of a person is not in how much money he makes. If you need help or just want to talk about this situation more, maybe you could call the Boys and Girls Club of America. I see it advertised on TV a lot and its a 1-800 number.
2007-01-06 15:06:42 · answer #2 · answered by Terry Z 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i have - with my mom - and it really is one of the scariest things ever - i'm so sorry - for yo and your dad...i'm not sure where you live...the law is different in different places...but in canada you can get him "formed" if he is considered in immediate risk (has a plan on how to kill himself) - i can't imagin why you would be on hold at the suicide hotline - maybe you should try again...any crisis line will do, but don't give up...i was lucky - they formed my mom and she spent a very long time the hospital - she started medication and she's doing well...i do have a firned that wasn't as lucky - her step-father killed himself...and nomatter what please,please remember that if something happends to your dad it is NOT YOUR FAULT...depression kills - just like cancer or other diseases depression kills!!! people don't understand how terrible it can get...i hope that with some help from your doctor, the crisis lines...or even calling the mental health association - look it up on yellowpages.ca you can get help - my prayers are with you all...
2007-01-06 07:48:08 · answer #3 · answered by Gugie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your Dad is at risk of harming himself, contact 911. They will take him the ER for a psych evaluation, and may admit him to an inpatient unit for evaluation. Also, you need to find someone (preferably another family member) that you can talk to about all this. It sounds like Dad might be dealing with a lot of his own stuff, and might not be able to care for your needs. You can always contact your local Child Services Agency and ask for help.
2007-01-06 14:21:51 · answer #4 · answered by John 3:16 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi Emily
Your Dad needs to forgive himself for anything from the past. He needs to live in the moment and not think about the past. He shouldn't feel guilty about things from the past but happy that he now recognises that he did something that he's not happy about. The most important thing he's done is realise that he would now do things differently because he has now empowered himself to do things in a different way, in ways he wants to do things. We all have regrets and make mistakes. It's how we learn about ourselves, who we are.
But things also happen that are not our fault that we take responsibility for when we shouldn't. He might be taking responsibility for something that wasn't his fault or for a situation that wasn't his fault and beyond his control.
He needs to go to his doctor where they'll be able to offer him counselling, just to talk things through. That is the best thing he can do.
Tell your Dad that we all make mistakes and do things we're not proud of but that was then, this is now and he can now do things differently x x x
2007-01-06 08:22:11 · answer #5 · answered by Pat 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Talking to someone over the phone is usually not effective and going to someone's office is intimidating when seeking help. Find something that he likes to do. If you can afford to take him away , do that! (It doesn't have to be far and expensive). Something that will get his mind off his everyday lifestyle. Go somewhere that has a group of people his age that have possibly shared the same experiences as he. He may feel better talking to someone his age.
2007-01-06 07:55:28 · answer #6 · answered by ybno37 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can't live in the past you have to move on to the future no i have never been through something like that but your dad needs to get psychological help and get on anti depressants,he needs to talk to a professional, take him to a gamblers anonymous meeting.
2007-01-06 07:44:18 · answer #7 · answered by Mary O 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can't talk him out of it. It is a medical problem, a chemical imbalance in the brain. Call his Dr. Maybe he can talk some sense into him. He needs to be on medication and perhaps be hospitalized. Electric shock helps severe cases immediately. I hope this helps.
2007-01-06 07:48:25 · answer #8 · answered by notyou311 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If he is a danger to himself or others you can have him committed. If he is suicidal the county can hold him and give him the help that he needs. Please do not sit on it and get your father help immediatly. Call county agencies immediately. Get phone book and look up the county mental health agency and or the adult protection service. APS mostly deals with seniors, but can assist you in getting your father help. Again, please do this immediately.
2007-01-06 07:48:51 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
call 911 and say that you think he is going to kill hisself and then make sure he has medical alright because then he wont have much also take out a all coverage insurance plan because nothing is garrenteed in life
we are aldults and we know how life is and what it isnt
<3
2007-01-06 07:43:25 · answer #10 · answered by mama penguin of destruxion 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋