Need a Therapist recommendation

My brother is going through alot of sh*t right now in his life and I'm afraid he's suicidal. My mother was very sick and is recovering but she had several strokes as the result of stage 4 lung cancer. She's recovered but she's a very nasty miserable person and takes her frustrations out on everyone else. My brother is 20 and lives there. I can tell he's completely withdrawing from life. I'm afraid he's turning to drugs and I don't know what to do. We used to be really close and he barely even talks to me now.

He needs help. I'll go with him, I don't care anymore but this once happy-go-lucky kid is dreaming about killing himself on a regular basis. My father has even had dreams that he has....

I don't know what to do anymore. There's no chance in fixing my mother right now, but I'm hoping that maybe someone could help my brother.

Thanks ladies

Message edited 5/8/2009 11:10:20 AM.

Re: Need a Therapist recommendation

What area are you looking for?
Can your brother live someplace else?

Also, you might want to check with some cancer support groups, or the cancer society.

It sounds like he has other issue besides your mom's health (which you have and for).

Also, you can't help someone who doesn't want to be helped. If he doesn't want to go for help, maybe if he sees you going to a support group it will help him.

Good luck.

Message edited 5/8/2009 11:21:38 AM.

Re: Need a Therapist recommendation

Posted by nora101004

What area are you looking for?
Can your brother live someplace else?

Also, you might want to check with some cancer support groups, or the cancer society.

It sounds like he has other issue besides your mom's health (which you have and for).

Also, you can't help someone who doesn't want to be helped. If he doesn't want to go for help, maybe if he sees you going to a support group it will help him.

Good luck.

Re: Need a Therapist recommendation

thats good news that he wants help, he recognizes there is a problem. Maybe you can start by checking with his insurance company, any kind of therapy is not cheap, and going through insurance is always a good route to help alleviate some of the cost. However, if he is suicidal, i would take him somewhere immediatly, maybe an inpatient treatment. Good luck! for your brother!

Re: Need a Therapist recommendation

There's a counseling center in Long Beach on Park Ave. directly across from the train station.

Also, does your mom have a "TBI" from her stroke? If she is eligible for Medicaid and under 64, she may be able to get onto the TBI Medicaid Waiver program. I am a Service Coordinator for this program and it can be very helpful for people and their family.

It takes time to get the services in place, I'm not gonna lie, but it can help to take a lot of the burden off of you and your family. FM me for more info if you want it.

I also agree with the person who mentioned cancer support for the whole family.

Re: Need a Therapist recommendation

Long Beach Medical Center has a Mental Health Clinic (small building in front of the hospital in the parking lot.) They accept insurance and also payment on a sliding scale for those who don't have insurance.