Elderly parent mental health crisis

[Namechangeniamh]

Hi,

Anxious about this hence posting at crazy o' clock. In Ireland. I feel my 80 year old parent is having a mental health crisis. I'm overwhelmed and stressed. They are anxious and depressed and calling me crying. They mentioned suicide last week. In many ways they're still operating normally - shopping etc... They're being very emotionally manipulative and erratic. They are reliant on sleeping tablets. I don't know what to do. One of my other relatives is a medical professional and knows what's going on but hasn't done anything. That's what's confusing me. I feel alone and extremely put upon. Any advice? I kind of know there isn't any and I'm just venting.

I would contact some emergency Healthcare if they're saying they're suicidal.

Sorry you are going through this stress Op.
Just writing to bump your post here.
You need the next level of support, whatever that is for him or her.
Doctors first to see if anything physical is underlying their distress and then consider if a daily care visit or more social activity would help.

First thing is to get a doctor's visit to the home or take your parent to the doctor's. Does your mum have carer's that call into see her in the day. Also it may be worth checking that your mum can have those tests for dementia also. You need to get a plan in place and I would think the first port of call would be the doctor's. It must be very distressing for you and your mum sounds like she is afraid and have you ever considered a live in carer for your mum, could she afford this or would she ever think about living in a nursing home. Hope things get better.