How to support my sister?

[PeppermintCream]

My sister (aged 26) has been arrested this morning for breach of the peace. She went out on a massive bender last night 2pm to 5am When she came back she was aggressive towards mum.
I do not live at home, u advised mum to ring NHS direct for advice (my sister has been unwell for about 10 years with depression). My sister freaked and threatened to stab herself with a carving knife. It took four police officers to arrest her.
My sister is now in a police cell sobering up awaiting a psychiatric assessment.
I live 250 miles away, but want to help my sister. Let her know I'm there for her (she needs a lot of support). Any advice?

It sounds like your mother needs a lot of support rather than your sister - what a frightening experience. I think until she has been assessed there is not a lot you can do for your sister. Also you need to be very realistic as to what you can do from so far away.

What makes you say she needs a lot of support? How bad was the depression? What treatment did she receive. Is this not the first time she's done something like this?

Could be a mix meds and alcohol and once sober your sister could be mortified.

Hopefully the assessment will provide your sister with help and support. Does your sister have a supportive GP? If so I think they need to be contacted when the surgery opens tomorrow and also any other support she receives.

How is your poor mother? Has she got someone with her to talk to and just be be there with her to deal with all this?

Thank you. My mum does need support, but there is a lot of history here and she has in some ways contributed to some of the issues eg it was mum that took my sister off the meds.
The police have taken my v remorseful sister to the local psychiatric hosp for assessment. We are just waiting to hear the results.
I'm really hoping that the doctors are able to help her. For the past 10 years she's got progressively worse, and has increased her reliance on alcohol to escape from it all.
The relationship with my mum is quite strange, my mum wants to be the one to treat her, my mum is hugely mistrustful of healthcare professionals.

Thanks for taking the time to clarify that - I hope I didn't sound too dismissive, I like no other should know family situations are never simple.

Does your sister/do you know that alcohol is a depressant?

It sounds like your sister may need some help to start making her own decisions rather than too much support to lean on. If she let your mum take her off the meds she needed something is wrong there (but then you just indicated that). In other words she may need empowering rather than other people making decisions for her. So once sober she needs to be asked 'what do you want to do' a lot.

Thanks madmouse. I'd had a long chat with my sister about taking control. Don't worry, I was very gentle with her. I suspect that one of the reasons my sister lost it, was because i suggested that she needs the support from doctors/ other services and family to become more independent. I think she's absolutely terrified.
I suspect she'll be back at my mums, later tonight, she'll be feeling mortified, tired and paranoid. I want to support her and empower her to ask for the help that she needs, just not sure what to do.