My brother is having suicidal thoughts :(

emylou

grey_lady wrote: »

I feel sorry for your niece - having a depressed parent can be difficult/frightening - it's good that she can talk to you.

Thank you grey_lady; I'm not sure exactly what my niece thinks/knows at the moment. SiL told me that she saw Daddy crying & he told her he wasn't well but didn't know what the matter was. Then my SiL told me that she told the 2 older children (9, 7, 1) to play clamly and try not to upset daddy- or something along those lines but not sure how much they know. SiL has always believed in telling them the truth and not hiding things so I have no idea how or if she wants this discussed with them and how it will affect them?!
As I said it's only now I'm older that I'm aware my Mum has depression and very low self-esteem, not sure what I would have thought about it if I'd realised when I was younger?!

Nixer

Is the fear of having something in his medical records the only thing that is stopping him going to the GP? If so could somebody reassure him that they are confidential and no way could anyone (especially not an employer) find out.

I hate the stigma associated with mental health problems. I am in the grip of a pretty bad episode at the moment, had a complete breakdown at work earlier this week, and am now almost as worried about work's attitude to my being off as my actual problems.

make_me_wise

Gingernutty wrote: »

Unless he works in a position where mental illness precludes someone from working (train driver, air traffic controller, police etc) then what's on his medical record won't end his career.

The end of his career is the last of his worries. By the sounds of it if he doesn't see a doctor and start recieving help soon he might end his life.