Assisted living for mental health issues

[Obsessedalready]

I was wondering if I could get some advice. I have a close family member in her mid 30's with panic disorder, OCD, depression and agoraphobia. Very recently she has expressed suicidal tendencies. She currently lives with her ageing parents (she has never moved out) and it's getting to the point where it's unsustainable for her to keep living there. The parents have some health issues and can't really support her anymore. To be honest they could do with downsizing and having a smaller house to manage, in any case she will almost definitely outlive them both in the next decade or so.

There is no where else she can go and I'm concerned that very soon the situation needs to change and am looking at options as me and my DH are the only other family she has and so feel responsible for her (and the aging parents).

I was thinking an assisted living situation might be appropriate for her as she really cannot live alone (she can't really be left alone, someone is with her at all times otherwise she panics) but I don't know anything about this sort of thing and so was wondering if anything like that even exists?

yes it exists. Is she under the care of her community mental health team? If not, a referral might be the first step to getting some support.

Or you could google 'mental health supported living' and the name of her area and she might be able to self refer to local services.

Though, be warned services are stretched to the limit and supported living places may be very difficult to access.

She has been to the GP in the past and they referred her for cbt and gave her medication but it has been getting progressively worse and now she is agoraphobic she refuses to see anyone or take her medicine so I'm not sure how to get a referral for her? I'm not sure family are allowed to self refer in our area, could we call a gp for a house visit and force her to see them?

Yes, she can ask for a home visit or a phone call from GP. Her treatment isn't currently effective so it needs reviewing.

If she can afford to pay for therapy Anxiety UK provide cheap ish therapy by Skype or telephone if she is unable to leave the house to attend CBT.