What services should be available to someone to unwell to be left alone?

[maddiemostmerry]

Hi,

A family member is going through a breakdown. It is difficult to be sure what is going on.
I know they have been prescribed medication and signed off work. They have seen a psychiatrist and have been sent to relaxation classes.

Their partner feels unable to leave them alone at all due to self harm.

I feel way out of my depth and not sure how best to help.

Any advice on what services there should be available would be very welcome.

Thanks.

Hmm I wonder if this person is in the right place for relaxation classes.

The only help available to someone not safe to leave alone is in-patient treatment in hospital. It does not sound serious enough for that though if the psychiatrist prescribes relaxation classes, although I appreciate the stress of self harm. It maybe worth seeing if a community MH team can get involved, with regular CPN visits.

Thanks madmouse.

I guess I need to find out how they can access community services.

Family member does not like being left alone at all. The partner has to take time off with them for routine illness. They won't travel alone etc when well. Am actually very concerned for partners well being as they are under massive pressure from family member and their workplace.

GP can probably refer to Community Mental Health, although that may have already been done if they've seen a psychiatrist.

There seems to be some manipulation going on then if partner is expected to take time off for routine illness? Has psychiatrist been given the whole picture?

I suspect that the psych will not know the whole picture.

Will try to find out if referral has been made.

Thanks madmouse

I have been deemed too unsafe to be left alone due to self harm and I am currently IP.

My self harm is possibly life ending / limb threatening, IME most mental health services will not take steps to prevent self harm that is used as a coping strategy, they will work to minimise harm and to reduce the need to do it but if someone is SIing in a 'safe' way they will not be offered inpatient 24/7 support. The focus is very much on choice amd making positive choices rather than being rescued or prevented from being unsafe (unless that risk is deemed to be very big).

I was working with the crisis team when I was admitted and they do risk assessments to judge whether someone is safe at home or not, could your relative contact them for support?

Hi Fluffy, thank you very much for the info. I am sorry to hear that things are so difficult for you at the moment.

I think the person isn't in immediate danger but is actually using the threat of it to make partner stay with them at all times. I guess a kind of low level self harm.

Best wishes to you.