Intervention needed?

[ACooksTour]

A very close relative has been suffering with depression for about 4 months now. They had suicidal feelings but this was 'nipped in the bud' with swift help, a diagnosis and medication.

The past few months have been very up and down for them and other relatives are at their whits end through worry for them and other immediate family members.

In truth I think this relative is probably not being totally honest about whether they are taking medication and seeing the Dr for ongoing help. It is close to tearing their immediate family apart.

They have lots of family and close friends who reach out daily but it feels like they are closing ranks on all their help. Our dear relative just doesn't seem to be improving and we just want them to begin a road to recovery but we all feel we've hit a brick wall with them at the moment.

What do you do to help at this point? Please accept my apologies if the post seems chaotic and perhaps ignorant. We are desperate,

Thank you.

This is an awful situation for you all to be in. I have mental health issues and often find it hard to talk to others esp family about them but equally I wouldn't be closing myself off so much that others feel they cannot talk or are worried. I tend to dismiss my feelings. My father, though, was very different- used to threaten suicide and then disappear for ages (he lived in a different country, this was before mobile phones, emails, etc) so I would go out of my mind worrying that he had done something.
It sounds as if you are all trying to help your relative and that is all you can realistically do if they are not engaging. Just letting them know that you are there can be helpful and checking in occasionally. It then is up to them to reciprocate and get in touch back. In my experience, it's the only thing that can be done. I know how worrying it is, though - this is why I am always very careful with my family about my mental health and try not to tell them unless I feel I cannot deal with the situation or anticipate my moods changing, etc.

Thank you for taking the time to reply, it's really helped me process some things. Wishing you all the best xx