where do i go for help?

[queenofthepirates]

hoping for some direction, my mum has cared for my bi polar step dad for 20 years and she's on the edge. she's burnt out and has taken the leap and booked the holiday of a lifetime for herself, alone, for 10 weeks. step dad has gone down hill in the run up to her departure and is suicidal. mum leaves in 10 days and she must go, she really must. she's given so much and needs the break.
I've offered to step in and look after step dad but I don't really know where to start. the new Dr at the mh team said he would see SD in 6 weeks time but he's on the verge of ending everything each night. who do I call? what's the provision of services? we are in east Anglia.

[CrazyCatLady13]

There are are two things I can think of.

Contact Mind for support and signposting to other agencies if necessary.

The Samaritans will also have details of where to access support and your SD may feel able to unload onto the Samaritans more than a family member as it's an impartial outsider.

From personal experience, NHS support isn't great in our area unless there is actually a suicide attempt but there are voluntary agencies out there to help.

HTH a little.

[queenofthepirates]

Thank you,so much for replying, it's a great help. I will call Mind and the Samaritans in the morning and see if we can call every ounce of help to see him through. I have little experience with MH issues and I kind of wish he could just go into hospital for 10 weeks! I think he might like that too.....

[Mitchy1nge]

am in East Anglia too, have you tried a carers' organisation (eg: www.suffolk-carers.org.uk/)? your step dad might also be eligible for direct payments from the council, have had these before in the past and they can be used for therapeutic things, respite etc they take a while to set up (ideally need separate bank account and so on) but longer term might be helpful

[Mitchy1nge]

sorry dodgy link: www.suffolk-carers.org.uk/