Parental advice needed- TW mental health

[catscratch22]

Hi everyone

I hope you're all keeping well and I'm really sorry to hijack a site meant for parents when I'm really not one but I was hoping you could give me advice on what you would do if your child was in this situation.

I'm 21 and in my final year at uni. Without going into too much detail I've had a history of mental health problems since I was about 14. I had been managing them quite well but in the last month or so I've deteriorated massively and am having quite intense suicidal thoughts. I have been to a and e on one particularly bad night too.

I live away from my parents at uni and have been here since February last year. Unfortunately I'm at a point where I don't think I can keep myself safe here anymore and I'd really like to go home to my parents. They're very covid cautious however, and I don't want to put them in a difficult situation by asking to come home. They're both 55

I guess what I'm asking is what you would do in this situation? Even if you were very anxious about covid (and understandably so!) would you prefer your child not to come home? I don't want to force them to make a difficult decision. Obviously if I did come home I would stay there until lockdown is lifted, and not go back and forth from uni

Any advice would be much appreciated, please delete if not appropriate

Im glad you're going home OP, feel better. Well done for speaking up - first to a bunch of strangers and then to your parents. It can be very scary to say that you're not ok, but you've done it - so you've been very very brave. Well done. X

Your university should be offering Covid tests so have a look and see if you wanted to get one done before going. I hope your parents step up for you - they haven’t exactly been proactive here though and I hope you will seek outside help if needed. Although universities are getting a slating on here at the moment, I have heard there is a rapid response rate at many in requests for help with mental health. Also the university can get allowances made if it is impacting your studies.