Free or Assisted Mental Health Programs in GA-- My father is not fit to take care of himself?

Question

I could really use some help here. I have found out today that my father has been evicted from his apartment. He was served multiple eviction notices, and due to his mental state ignored them. The eviction notices were not because he did not pay his rent, but because he was supposedly intimidating staff of the apartment complex.

My father has had a long history of being manic depressive and/or bipolar. I need to find out if there are any government programs or charities that could assist my father in finding a new place to live (he lives on his social security check) and getting some help. Aside from that is there any way to have him involuntarily committed in the state of Georgia? He is not in a fit state to make rational decisions. Please only serious and objective answers. Thanks in advance, any info would be greatly appreciated. P.S. I live in the UK and the remainder of my family live on the west coast, and unfortunatly none of us can travel to GA to help my father at the moment

Answer 1

What you need is not necessarily State, City or County, it is non-profit. In many States, there are Fairweather Lodge programs. I do not know whether there are any in Georgia. There are Safe Houses for the mentally ill in Georgia.

The first thing I would do is call United Way. Tell them about your situation and ask for listings that could accomodate your father. Also, call the State Rehabilitation Services and ask for listings. They have them because it is their job to do so. Every State has State, City and County Mental Health and Mental Retardation (MHMR) agencies. Contact one and ask for listings.

Also, look for Independent Living Facilities. This is where your father can live independently with assisted help. The State Rehabilitation Services or Commission will have their listings as well, for they refer their clients for services.

If you want garanteed success, go to United Way and purchase a Community Assistance Directory (CAD). It is called diffrerent things in different cities. In it are all the services you need with phone numbers, names, and a description of what each has to offer . It will cost anywhere from $37 to $50, but it is worth it.

Email me if you have anymore questions? This is my field, and I work with consumer like your father.l

Answer 2

Contact needs to be made to DEPT. OF HUMAN SERVICES / SOCIAL SERVICES in the county where you father is.

Alert the person you speak with that you are calling from the UK
on behalf of your homeless, mentally ill father.
Within Human Services there should be an office named something like "aging and adult services" or "adult care management" Speak with them, asking what possible services might be available to your father.

It may be that your father needs to be assigned an "ombudsman" or a "legal guardian" to address his personal decisions and affairs, inorder to keep him safe and a roof over his head. It may also be necessary to place your father into a "care home"/"nursing home".

Whether it is convenient or not,
Your father is at a crucial point where he requires help for a week or two to set his affairs in order. No, its not fun, it's a NEED - NOW, before he dies on the street.
So, one of you needs to get out the charge card, and make the trip to Georgia ASAP. He is FAMILY and that's WHAT FAMILY DOES FOR EACH OTHER. at minimum.

Answer 3

There is medication for bipolar Have you tried getting him well?..then maybe he can function on his own. Maybe you could find someone who would be willing to be his roommate and make sure he takes his medicine and keep an eye on him. There are people who will take him into their homes for his social security...put an add in the paper or online. Have you talked to his psychiatrist or therapist to make sure he's getting the right medicine? Maybe he could live with you or some relatives....he's your DADDY ..for Pete's Sake !! !! !!! P.S. If he was evicted today...where in the world is he staying tonight???