How to help someone’s who’s having a possible mental health crisis whilst sticking to covid rules?

[Lovemusic33]

I think a friend is in a pretty bad place, he’s an alcoholic with some possible mental health issues, his behaviour has changed over the past few weeks and I’m guessing he’s drinking whilst taking antidepressants, he lives alone and due to covid he probably isn’t attending any AA support groups. I’m worried he might end up doing something silly. Christmas is hard enough for people living alone during normal times let alone covid. How can I offer support? I feel like I need to see him rather than calling him but covid rules mean I can’t. Would you break the rules if you were really worried about someone’s mental health?

In this case I think you’re allowed to break the rules. I have an acquaintance who was in a similar situation first time round and their relative visited them. Thankfully they started engaging with health services after lockdown and now have a lot of telephone support.

Does he have a key worker or anyone you can speak to? There are some AA meetings and other support groups taking place virtually currently, this can actually be helpful for some people. Alternatively if you know their GP contact you could phone for advice or a welfare check

Can you talk to him about your worries and agree a plan together such as contact with GP, CMHT, crisi team, alcohol support?

If you must visit in person wear a mask, sit 2m apart and keep the windows open.

The rules allow for you to see him in this instance. Agree, keep a window open if you cant sit outside or go for a walk.

I believe this would be an exemption as he needs support.
I would be as cautious as possible whilst there but rules or not there is no way I would not see a friend in this situation.

So many threads like this.
Providing care or support to vulnerable people is allowed (encouraged even) in all tiers.

I have contacted another friend (who’s closer to him), as far as I’m aware he does have a key worker, he hasn’t got much family support, his DM tries to support him but they clash a lot and she backs off when his drinking gets bad so I’m guessing this has happened again. Last year was similar, I think Christmas is hard for him.

I’m going to try and arrange to go over to check on him tomorrow. I think maybe just knowing people are there for him will help, it’s easy to believe no one cares when everyone’s busy with their own families this time of year, covid has just made this a lot worse ☹️

Surely this would count as providing care to a vulnerable person?

My brother was in crisis and I had to just go round. I wore a mask, he was crying so didn’t think a mask would work.

The imminent risk of him hurting himself was greater than the risk of covid.

Could you go for a walk with him OP? Maybe set up a regular time and day(s) that you’ll meet up and go for a walk.

Won’t work if he’s in actual crisis but could help generally and you wouldn’t be breaking the rules

@formerbabe

Surely this would count as providing care to a vulnerable person?

I think so.

I would feel awful if something happens to him and I didn’t attempt to help. I think his GP put him on antidepressants a couple weeks ago, his behaviour has got more odd since, he might be totally unaware of his behaviour or he maybe really struggling.

Thank you for your answers, I’m going over to check in him tomorrow x

Definitely go see him. I lost a close friend at the start of the year. Such a needless waste of life and I still struggle to digest what happened. If you can reach out to help you should. I hope it goes well tomorrow 💐

He's lucky to have such a caring friend OP, and yes, check in on him tomorrow. If he has just started on an AD, it can take a couple or more weeks to kick in, and make you feel worse before you feel better.