SANE Forums

[john19]

A family member is going through a separation and is living alone. In the last 4 months, she has completely isolated herself. She does not go to work, does not respond to any calls from friends and family. Occasionally receives calls from her mother. She imagines she has a few children, who are walking around. She actually does not have any children. She thinks all her friends and family want to harm her. She thinks she is married to a celebrity.

Her mother has recently travelled a long way to visit her. She wouldn't even open the door. When her mother wanted to talk to her from outside the door, she started screaming. Her mother brought her some food, she thinks the food is poisoned.

Now we have no way to communicate with her. We called 000. The dispatcher patiently took our case and forwarded it to the local police station. The dispatcher said the police would call us. But it has been about 2 days and we haven't heard back from the police.

Can anybody please suggest what we can do? Other than waiting for the police? Our fear is that the police might have visited her, but might not have identified the issues with her.

[tacocat]

Hi and welcome to the forums @john19 

That's a frustrating space to be in, just waiting and hoping the police do their job.

In my experience, sometimes it can take a few goes to get emergency services to either get around to doing the welfare check; or it takes a while until the police see symptoms pronounced enough to be able to do anything. 

Focusing on the seriousness of the situation, with a focus on risk factors is a good move. If you make the level of risk known to the authorities, it then passes the responsibility on to them. 

Be a squeaky wheel... 

[Ainjoule]

Hey @john19 

I agree with what @tacocat said. In addition I thought I would mention that most states have a mental health triage line. Here is the page that lists the different mental health triage lines in different states: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/crisis-management

And welcome to the forums.

[Ljr2005]

Hi @john19 

I know how frustrating it can be to try and get help for someone who clearly needs it but can’t see that themselves.

I am not sure what state you are in but agree with trying to get a CATT team or similar to come.  

if you can be at the house (even outside) and call an ambulance from my experience you may have more change of getting support then from police.

I agree you do have to be a squeaky wheel and push hard for someone to speak with her.

good luck and take care.

[john19]

Thanks to everyone who replied! We went to the police station to get an update. Found out they visited her, talked with her for 30 minutes. It was a welfare check. But as she did not show any signs of immediate danger, the police can't do anything.

Thankfully they directed us to call a mental health wellbeing triage centre. We called in and they started their part. They will call and try to assess her.

We are praying that she would agree to accept the help.