My neighbour appears to be having a crisis . Hardly surprising; they are an alcoholic who normally spends most evenings in the pub. He is older and single and had always lived with his DM until she died last year.
He is quite reserved ( his mother was a complete recluse). He will always exchange a cheerful hello if we meet on the street, but (after 10 years) we don’t know him at all. He speaks to my DH about practical matters relating to fences etc... but it never goes further. We have always left him alone as he seemed to expect/prefer this.
However, he has outbursts of loud ranting, swearing that go on for hours sometimes. He had been very quiet since his DM passed away ( a blessing she had been very ill for. Long time and was past 90) but the lockdown has been very tough on him - and last night- between the swearing he was begging for help. The gist was about loneliness and I got an impression he may have approached professional services and been rebuffed...
I have no idea how to approach him. Our only go between was another neighbour who had known him from childhood, unfortunately this 3rd party sadly also passed away recently. I completely understand why he is having problems ( and understand the need to rant and rave sometimes) but I am wondering how/if to offer support. And also to ask if he could moderate his language a bit. All the other houses have young families... (Another issue as all of us are out enjoying the gardens of course which may well feel like we are rubbing it in - to him).
He seems to find it easier to interact with DH rather than me (and women in general according to his other side neighbour) but DH is well out of his depth with handling such things (shy himself).
Previously we have written a note ( when DS has recurring night terrors which was upsetting...) which I think might be a place to start? But how to go about it ( would DH joint him across the fence for socially distanced beer be a good/very bad idea??
Any ideas about how to reach out?