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Sister saying she doesn't want to live after I told her to come on the 25th

151 replies

Anuta77 · 16/12/2025 21:09

So I'm having another drama with my sister.
She shared that she was feeling lonely as she's a single mother and has financial issues after her company went down.
I was planning on a holiday dinner. We are not Christian, she actually follows Judaism, but we don't have to have a dinner on a specific date. She told me that she would like to do something on the New Year Eve. But never confirmed. I had to insist that she calls me back.

So we're talking by phone and she says how sad she is that nobody is inviting her. I say that I do. On the 24th, my husband is inviting his son with gf and his daughter. If my sister came with my nephew (who is also sometimes difficult to handle) and my mom, it would make 10 people. I don't have enough sits. I also wanted to do some board games (didn't tell her that) and with my nephew and generally too many people, it feels more complicated.

So I tell her to come on the 25th. I also mention that on the 2nd of January, I invite some friends, she could come too. She starts going around finding some excuses as to why she's not happy, then reluctantly agrees. I tell her that it doesn't feel good, it's holidays, not some obligation. She tells me that as usual I'm not listening to her and not understanding. I insist that she tells me what's the issue and she starts yelling that she wants to su*cide and hangs up. I try to call back, she declines.
Should I invite her on the 24th because of her depression and loneliness? Obviously, the holiday mood would be ruined because I hate being pressured.

OP posts:
Motnight · 16/12/2025 21:13

If you want to reward her tantrums invite her on the 25th.

PollyBell · 16/12/2025 21:14

She doesnt need to be invited to everything and I know he is a man and on here whatever a man says is wrong but ask your husband and he should be able to have a say if she is getting invited to everything else

Icouldwriteabookonmydisastrouslife · 16/12/2025 21:15

Why should her depression trump your Xmas eve doing what you enjoy . She’s got the opportunity to come Xmas day .

Catza · 16/12/2025 21:16

You invited her on the 25th and 2nd, right? And she declined both?
Why would you invite her on the 24th as well. She will just decline, surely.
The date isn't the issue. So no.
If she is depressed, then she needs to see her GP. If she is suicidal, she needs to call MH crisis helpline. Going to a party isn't really a solution to either of these issues.

Noodledog · 16/12/2025 21:17

I don't think anyone on here can advise you, only you know the history here and whether she has a history of emotionally manipulating people, or whether she is currently very depressed and may actually be suicidal.

Anuta77 · 16/12/2025 21:18

Catza · 16/12/2025 21:16

You invited her on the 25th and 2nd, right? And she declined both?
Why would you invite her on the 24th as well. She will just decline, surely.
The date isn't the issue. So no.
If she is depressed, then she needs to see her GP. If she is suicidal, she needs to call MH crisis helpline. Going to a party isn't really a solution to either of these issues.

If I understood correctly, she wanted to come on the 24th. Maybe because there would be more people, but these people are just my husband's young adult children.

OP posts:
Anuta77 · 16/12/2025 21:19

Noodledog · 16/12/2025 21:17

I don't think anyone on here can advise you, only you know the history here and whether she has a history of emotionally manipulating people, or whether she is currently very depressed and may actually be suicidal.

Honestly, it's both, but I didn't think it was to that point. I did suggest that she contact a helpline, but she says the first question there if she has family that cares and she says that the answer is no. Very nice for me to hear.

OP posts:
Upthenorth · 16/12/2025 21:21

Is she genuinely at risk OP?
If so then I would be calling a mental health crisis team.
If not she is emotionally blackmailing you and I would tell her if she does this again you’ll go jo contact - then stick to it.

ChoccieCornflake · 16/12/2025 21:21

I would be calling the police for a welfare check on her. Either she means it, in which case the check is very needed, or she doesn't in which case the check should be a wake up call to her.

WallaceinAnderland · 16/12/2025 21:22

If she is on her own with a child, you could ask police to do a welfare check on her as she has threatened to commit suicide.

For Christmas, you have invited her to come on 25th. You do not need to include her in your other plans on 24th.

She can't have what she wants all the time.

User00000043297 · 16/12/2025 21:23

I imagine she's feeling very low and hyper sensitive about being "not good enough" to be part of the main celebration.

You are not obligated to host her. And if you don't want to it's better you don't. But she is entitled to her response to that and if you are concerned you should encourage her to get support/contact relevant authorities.

Needmorelego · 16/12/2025 21:25

She is threatening suicide.
If she is a single mother how old are the children?
Are they safe with her?
My concerns would be more about the children than what day to have dinner.

IsitaHatOrACat · 16/12/2025 21:27

If this was my sister, alone with a child, strugglinb financially and clearly lonely, I think would be extending an open invitation to her to my home.

Anuta77 · 16/12/2025 21:30

Needmorelego · 16/12/2025 21:25

She is threatening suicide.
If she is a single mother how old are the children?
Are they safe with her?
My concerns would be more about the children than what day to have dinner.

Her son is 6 and she does take good care of him. He doesn't have a father, so I can't imagine that she could leave him alone like that.

OP posts:
RogueFemale · 16/12/2025 21:31

@Anuta77 Suicide threats are manipulative. I have a foul-weather friend who will repeatedly say she wants to die when she doesn't have a boyfriend (age 60+). It happens so regularly that I now say kill yourself if you want, it's pointless though. Then suddenly she stops with the suicide threats.

Anuta77 · 16/12/2025 21:31

IsitaHatOrACat · 16/12/2025 21:27

If this was my sister, alone with a child, strugglinb financially and clearly lonely, I think would be extending an open invitation to her to my home.

She's not struggling financially all that much, it's more legal issues that take all her time, but it was also her choice.
An open invitation to come even if I have people over and there are not enough places to sit? I'm literally inviting her the next day.

OP posts:
TomatoSandwiches · 16/12/2025 21:32

Just incase I would always advise to contact the police for a home visit if she's mentioned suicide, especially with a young child at home and no other adult.

Newsenmum · 16/12/2025 21:35

She’s unwell op so you wont be able to do anything‘right’.

Newsenmum · 16/12/2025 21:35

TomatoSandwiches · 16/12/2025 21:32

Just incase I would always advise to contact the police for a home visit if she's mentioned suicide, especially with a young child at home and no other adult.

I actually ageee with this. I forgot she had a child. Poor kid. Is she actually well enough to look after him/her?

Londonrach1 · 16/12/2025 21:35

Get the police to do a welfare check on her but please remember nothing you can do will help so don't change your plans. She needs proper medical treatment. Is her child ok

Needmorelego · 16/12/2025 21:36

Anuta77 · 16/12/2025 21:30

Her son is 6 and she does take good care of him. He doesn't have a father, so I can't imagine that she could leave him alone like that.

Do you have any worry that she means it (suicide) though?
Even the smallest of doubt then please check the little boy is safe.

Newsenmum · 16/12/2025 21:36

Needmorelego · 16/12/2025 21:25

She is threatening suicide.
If she is a single mother how old are the children?
Are they safe with her?
My concerns would be more about the children than what day to have dinner.

I agree. Having your mum say she wants to kill herself is incredibly traumatising.

OriginalUsername2 · 16/12/2025 21:40

I think a police welfare check is always the answer. If they’re serious, they’re seen by professionals who have processes to follow. If they’re doing it to manipulate you, they’re mortified that police turned up instead. Win win.

pizzaHeart · 16/12/2025 21:41

Londonrach1 · 16/12/2025 21:35

Get the police to do a welfare check on her but please remember nothing you can do will help so don't change your plans. She needs proper medical treatment. Is her child ok

This^
maybe you can call a helpline and ask for advice but it’s not about 24th, she is unwell. If she is invited she will tell that :
she wasn’t invited at first
she doesn’t have a chair
her chair is different
you looked at her wrong
your tone of voice is wrong etc etc

dont take her comments personally it’s her cry for help rather than description of real situation.

Anuta77 · 16/12/2025 21:41

Newsenmum · 16/12/2025 21:35

I actually ageee with this. I forgot she had a child. Poor kid. Is she actually well enough to look after him/her?

Yes, she is. She's still chatting with me and telling me that he's the only reason she's alive.

OP posts:
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