“I’m totally powerless:” A mother’s struggle with her son’s mental illness and homelessness

[@Karenmariew5431]

I can totally relate to this story! My son is 34 and also bipolar and schizo affective as well as adhd, impulse control disorder and fasd. He's also been on and off meds, in and out of hospitals and prisons etc. he is currently off his meds and in a psychotic state for the past two weeks and threatening suicide, he is homeless again. Nobody will help. Nobody can get him admitted to a psych hospital or won't. I am living in a different state than him. I asked the police in his city to help get him admitted and told them he was a danger to himself and others. That was over 24 hours ago and they haven't done anything. It's been a hellish nightmare for so many years. It's affected my own mental health and physical health. I have bad anxiety now and depression. The mental health system desperately needs to change and so does the prison system in the U.S.

[@icequeen4201]

My sister just received a call from the school telling her they called the police to come take her son to the hospital. He was running around screaming that he just wanted to die and that he was going to kill himself. My mom said he spent half the night screaming and running up and down the hallway. I don't know why our society stigmatizes mental illness. I am sorry for what you have been through but glad you shared it.

[@Karenmariew5431]

@@Fortis_Bellatorthanks for checking on me! After I made that post the police brought him in and after sitting in the jail for two weeks they realized how bad he really was and how delusional and psychotic he was so they dropped the charges if he would sign a paper to go into mental health center and stay as long as the psych doctor said he needed to be there! It was such an answer to prayer! He ended up staying in that mental health center for 6 weeks while he got remedicated after that I picked him up from the state he was in and brought him back home to live with me! He's been here about 6 mos now, since being here he stole money from my purse once hasn't gotten a job but has been taking meds mostly, this week he missed his meds two different days and I spent the last hour crying because he's acting different and he's hounding me for money and won't stop! I had to ask him to leave tonight because he was making me feel uncomfortable and unsafe and I didn't want him around my younger kids! Please pray he stays in the meds and doesn't miss more! I'm feeling really stressed and traumatized having him living here at this point but don't know what to! Thanks for listening! How is your adult child doing? Nobody understands except those of us going through it! I was happy to run across this video again and see you had responded! Blessings to you and prayers for your son!

[@Karenmariew5431]

@@icequeen4201 I am sorry about your Nefew! How is he doing now?

[@icequeen4201]

@@Karenmariew5431 We just celebrated his 10th birthday yesterday. For now, he is good but I can't say what my sister goes through on a daily basis. He was very happy yesterday and he got a lot of cool stuff. Thankyou =) It is ridiculous how mental health is treated around the world. Your son should have help for his illness. The same as a neurotypical person who is being treated for illness on some other part of their body. The brain is an organ after all. I am sorry to hear about everything after he came back home. I think you did the only you could do given the situation. Why do they only keep them for six weeks? That seems like nothing at all. My heart goes out to you!!

[@YouHaveAPurposeStickAround]

​@@Karenmariew5431Hi, I wanted to see how you are doing? How is your son? I'm going through a very similar situation with my husband.

[@Readzboox]

My son is severely mentally I’ll he was diagnosed last year with schizophrenia. I have watched him lose everything. His friends his girlfriend and his hope for a future. I don’t know how to help him and I work with people with mental illness and are experiencing homelessness all day at work as a social worker but I can’t help my son because he does not want to take medicine. He’s in jail right now but it’s only making him worse. It’s the worst thing I have ever experienced

[@YouHaveAPurposeStickAround]

How are you doing? How is your son? Please update if you can, I am going through a similar situation in my life.

[@monicagaleana9362]

I can relate to EVERYTHING that is being shared 😢

[@lakeside321]

Be there for him as much as you can, but don't forget to take care of your mental health as well. I was told by my child's social worker, when a child becomes sick the whole family becomes sick. I am still grieving my sons mental illness, its been 14 years since he was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder.

[@Greensaunders]

Im also dealing with a son who’s in jail and has been homeless by choice because of his mental illness and his lawyer is trying to have him placed in residential care

[@Bambotb]

Medicine is drug not a cure it makes things worse

[@KaarenAllynFOMO]

My heart aches for you, fellow mom. Most of the world does not grasp our world. 💕

[@KaarenAllynFOMO]

My heart aches for this family. The world of mental illness is horrible and horrifying. I hope this mom connects with others like us. 💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕

[@NeekHop71]

I am going through this now. My son, who is mentally ill and not on drugs, is currently homeless. I try to talk him into getting mental health help but he doesn’t think anything is wrong with him. He gets a job but can’t keep it because he has episodes on the job and for safety reasons he is fired. He has never been violent to anyone, but he will talk about the same thing (conspiracy theories and religion) for hours. I already lost a son to drugs 7 years ago, if something were to happen to my youngest son, i don’t think I could handle it! I wish there was a way for me to help him. I feel lost.

[@nickcarter9373]

2:30 Smh this is exactly what I’m going through with my daughter, and I feel the same way about the system, she’s only 13 and have been in and out of facilities since 12 and now she’s currently in the juvenile facility for felony charges, I’m torn I’m hurt for my baby. I told God “take my life so she can be a normal kid again”.

[@l.wilson20]

My daughter is 13 and I’m accepting it now. It’s horrible. I pray and pray and pray. It’s ruining our whole family life. Makes living difficult

[@tamarabradberry9299]

I can relate. My son is currently in a hospital .....I believe 9 th stay. He has Schizophrenia. You are not alone. Powerless for sure. My heart aches for him.

[@Benice337]

How did you get your son in a hospital for treatment ? Does he have to be in agreement? I can’t get my son to go for evaluation 😢

[@venusharris8030]

Thank you for sharing with Love.

[@kates8841]

I have the same thing her son does. Schizoaffective disorder… I hate it but I take my medicine bc it helps me. I now know i have to take my meds. It is so sad how there is little funding for the mentally ill. I feel for parents whose kids have this. When you are sick, you can’t help yourself. So sad.

[@gemaamador6977]

My heart is heavy for every family going through this. My 19yr old is dealing with disorganized schizophrenia. It’s hard on a parent. I keep praying that God heals him. I feel defeated. I pray for healing. I’m really trying to be a supportive mother. It’s hard when he gets to a point where he doesn’t want to take his medication.

[@christinacahill5742]

im in the same place with my son. its hell

[@Bambotb]

It’s thiamine deficiency

[@velmapalafox4928]

@@Bambotbcan you kindly elaborate a little bit more about this thiamine?

[@bodhiswayze1892]

I really hope that this lady & her family are doing well today. I also hope that everybody in the comments who are experiencing this as well are good too. Love & hugs to everyone ❤

[@jean2479]

My heart goes out to you. I feel your heartbreak. My son was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia when he was 25. He's 36 now. I'm grieving. He has never lived anywhere but with family, now with his father, we divorced but are amicable. I am grateful he isn't homeless or in jail or dead! But he doesn't have anything like a life most young men his age have.

[@vickirojas8579]

Please look into medical keto diet for mental illness

[@hazzaplayz808]

My eldest daughter,24,has schizophrenia. I try my best to support her/not react when she gets episodic/refuses to take medication. Without trying to sound selfish..I feel so alone/we have no support. And I'm widowed by suicide (her father's death exacerbated her illness) I feel helpless to help her,and I have 3 other children. The hospital/mental health system is a joke..Unless she's actively suicidal,all they do is dose her up/isolate her/ask obvious questions. It becomes a revolving door. Is there light at the end of the tunnel,for both carers and the unwell alike? 😔😔

[@awjnck204]

This humanitarian crisis is a lot closer to home then you know. You don’t have to be poor, addicted to drugs… the brain is the number one cause to taking the city streets route in life. A childhood friend of mine who lives about 1 minute away is practically a “homeless” person living in the basement of his parents house… he hasn’t bathed or changed his clothes in over 5 months… the issues that cause someone to give up are a lot more real and personal than you can imagine… you or me could be sitting on a corner holding a cup for money… you never NEVER know.

[@michellecrawford9847]

I am so sorry my daughter just died on the streets of Seattle if she has the exact diagnosis I am so sorry I'm so sorry

[@CJ-jq4lv]

I know this is a year ago, but I’m sorry for your loss.❤

[@sabrinaoliver7727]

Me either maam....my son has schizophrenia and its terrible on him and those around him.

[@SpongeAddict-gw6mo]

My son was diagnosed paranoid schizophrenia and Asperger’s at 12 he started taking his meds at 15. He continued till 24 he started in and out of mental health. He is now homeless in Austin TX right now. He believes people are after him he won’t use his cell phone or his debit card. We are still searching his personality changed something once again took over my son. I don’t know this version.

[@gigi83578]

Yes…..I understand more and more 😢 it’s beyond heartbreaking. He has gone missing in CA after being in a program. His dad and I live in Washington state so feel even more helpless. He left the facility he was in with no phone, no money and no transportation. He doesn’t know the area. We have no idea if he is ok. I’m so sorry for you and your son…..you will be in my prayers ❤️

[@carolburnette2019]

Any chance you have found your son? 🙏

[@monicagaleana9362]

I hope so...

[@jacdan0110]

My son is 36… and he chooses to be homeless… my son has anger management issues and has chosen the wrong path… I hurt too… I know where you are coming from

[@playlistofsongs]

Chooses? You sound evil.

[@KRzzzzzzzz]

@@playlistofsongsstop

[@luisramrod9121]

Every homeless has a back story just like this one.

[@mgw9562]

😢 i understand how she feels...powerless

[@kristamontana8321]

When we vote we need to research the candidate’s stance on mental health funding. Our mentally ill deserve more than that’s available to them.

[@InfiniteSoulRoots]

Being in Social Services...I quickly learned, witnessed, & have unfortunately experienced the negative aspects of funds for various Social Services always being reduced, or cut by Republicans! They are against what they consider as "hand-outs", but they are always the first ones to gripe about the homeless, addicts, criminals, mentally ill, the impoverished et, et, but have no issues cutting vital funds for much needed programs! Just take for example how conservatives always wanna cut Social Security, or how Trump & his cult members wanted to cut Meals-On-Wheels for the elderly & disabled for crying aloud! The effects are damaging & stagnating for our nation, but yet they claim to be "patriots" that are supposed to care about their fellow citizens smh.

[@debishaw9355]

I’m so sorry you are going through this! My prayers 🙏 for you and your family. I agree with everything you say

[@NF40375]

My father had schizophrenia But he wasn’t in my life and no one ever told me the truth but that he was sick I never got it and had one son who’s 25 year old suffering with Crippling debilitating depression, anxiety, social anxiety and possibly more (started right after high school graduation in 2016) Both sides of the family have turned their backs on him, closed/locked their doors, changed their locks, call the cops to remove him, don’t call or answer his calls etc I’m the last one standing (his mother) Most call him lazy, crazy, rude, disrespectful, opportunist, a prick, scary He’s not professionally treated nor properly diagnosed and most likely on the wrong medication from the endless emergency room visits because he thinks he’s dying and meds most likely making him worse. He reuses therapy and psychiatry He’s on and off meds Doing all the things he thinks help him cope but it’s the very things that trigger manic episodes and he’s having them back to back to back. And after every manic episode comes the expected depression and shame of it all We’re in Florida, I was going to baker act him but from the research it sounds like the wrong way to go I’m driving after I type this to file in the courthouse to be his guardian or power of attorney so I can apply for disability, housing, and get him to the right doctors for the right meds because he hasn’t, won’t, can’t or would ever fathom doing any of that to help himself Let’s hope the judge and their medical professionals rule in my favor to help save him because I’m the last one left willing to do anything otherwise he’ll be homeless by force and I don’t want that

[@TheBodynsoul1]

Praying for your strength and for your son 🙏 I am mom to 29 yr old aspergers and past 10 years of this revolving door broken system! We ARE advocates for our kids! My thoughts are with u !

[@Benice337]

How did everything go at court?🙏🏻

[@pinchebruha405]

He’s in California, forget it they won’t help him unless he says he wants help. This why our streets look like this

[@theresab4644]

Very well stated.

[@alexgucciman]

Ur not alone, sorry to anyone with a child or loved one they know struggling with anything like that, I know a buddy of mine who was unloved and in a foster home, they never cared, parents both do drugs, I can see the beauty he can live but is getting distracted by of course drugs and gangs 😢

[@stevemorris6790]

Remember that was Ronald Reagan that close lots of clinics and cut benefits in mental health.

[@dianaatkinsonpeters6227]

What do you do cuz I'm a mother tired too my son is 51 and I do a lot of good things with him and sometimes he'll just act like everything I do is against him and then sometimes he'll hit you while you're going down the street and I'm tired of it because it causes death and I'm getting older and I just can't struggle with no more mentally but I'm trying to help him he act like I'm doing something bad and he wants to fight me for doing something good to help him and I'm tired now because he's hit me while I went down the street driving

[@TammySuarez-qp7bv]

My son is also homeless for 3 years now. I divorced his police father 14 years ago and he took him from me form the time he was 15 and abused him and the father died and my son still thinks he is alone like he brainwashed him and it’s all mental illness. He refuses to contact me and his sister. My heart is with you. I understand ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

[@olgastele8833]

I know your pain 😢💔

[@sylvialynn6641]

I care for two schizophrenic sons. It’s so heartbreaking.

[@vickirojas8579]

Please look into medical keto diet for mental illness

[@Iseeyou12332]

I'm in the same boat I have given every inch of my heart and soul trying to stop my son from his fall. The money begging and drugs never stop and I'm not allowed to talk about drugs court or money I'm terrified of people that know my address now. He's.. Jekyll and Hyde. The memories of the good times haunt me, cops will do nothing Baker Acting them does nothing prison does nothing. I have become...nothing.

[@jleigh4886]

Well, would you like to hear my story of being the daughter of a brilliant bipolar narcissist? And my untreated bipolar/schizoaffective brother? Sigh.

[@realnowheregirl]

I mean...write your own story and submit?

[@manicmaggie]

I cry into the void, but nobody hears me.

[@Lyndanet]

I wish this mother all the help she needs in cleaning her home and caring for probably her spouse who is in a wheelchair. It must have been tough getting a house that cluttered organized for guests.

[@UandMeGod]

What are you even talking about? Her house was a normal lived in house with elderly folks in it. Books lined up on the shelves and a jacket tossed over the back of a chair is NOT a messy, disorganized home. This poor woman came on here sharing her story hoping for getting more help and funding for those struggling with serious mental illness.... Not to get judge by a bystander who only looks past her to see if you can find flaws in her home environment to pick at.

[@sarcasticallyrearranged]

Her son is who knows where, lost in a broken mind and you’re worried about how her house looks?!

[@Lyndanet]

@@sarcasticallyrearranged you definitely misunderstood what I was trying to say . It’s obviously a difficult situation for her I can’t imagine struggling through so much mentally and physically while being a caregiver, and coming to terms with having a son with a history of incarceration mental illness and other trauma ( Who has gone missing most likely to spare his family grief ) I was feeling really bad watching her navigate through the clutter trying to give the interview and was just wishing her well and comfort / safety in her home for her own health and family’s , wellness and comfort . A clear clean space might not be important to you but it does help a family function better and is an obvious outwardly physical symptom that shows there’s an accumulation of grief and obstacles in this family’s life .

[@dorion7215]

I can relate to this. My son was never happy from earluest age. He was eventually diagosed w schizophrenia. He was provided with housing, food. But he felt shame and hopelessness. He died by suicide. I do not blame him. Would have done the same. But it hurts a mother's heart years later

[@PaulaChesnaky]

I am so,so sorry for your suffering and your son's suffering. May he be at peace.

[@jeaninefohl1966]

It’s real and so sad. Mental health issues are real.

[@underated17]

If someone doesn’t smile in photos much what does that mean?

[@cindyduncan1005]

Please find a NAMI family group they saved my life,we aren’t alone

[@adel19997]

I believe you needed Brittany's parents attorneys for a conservarship & a few millions in the bank.

[@qjtvaddict]

Nuru link

[@johnconnor1540]

👀

[@toddm6999]

I get it from a Dad

[@EmilyGloeggler7984]

“Mental Illness” (as in the realm we are talking, suicide, self-destructive behavior) is a symptom of a “debased mind” (Romans 1:28). When someone is so utterly given over to wickedness, hopelessness, and rejection of Christ that they kill themselves (as masochistic behavior is noted as demonic in Scripture, Mark 5:2-5; Ephesians 5:29 “no one ever hated his own flesh”), such behavior reveals there is no faith in Christ. God has made Himself very clear: “the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Corinthians 6:9-10), the “unbelieving” go to the lake of fire (Revelation 21:8). The Bible is not a lie.

[@icequeen4201]

You have not dealt with serious mental illness or you would know better!! My nephew is only ten and he has heard voices for years now. When he says he is going to kill himself so he doesn't have to hear them anymore he is not being evil, he is mentally sick. The brain malfunctions the same way other organs do. Yet people like you will always judge and feel entitled to speak when you know nothing about it. Take your righteous attitude elsewhere because it is really evil and wicked to kick someone when they are already down.

[@lakeside321]

Lady you don't know what your talking about. First and foremost Jesus healed those who were afflicted I guess you skipped over that part. Secondly children are can developed the disease, sometimes it trauma based , sometimes its hereditary.

[@frankmorton1626]

My 22 yr old granddaughter threatening to kill me ,her Gramma and any friends she had. Lie to everyone. Most vile person I ever seen. Refuses meds. At wits end. Had double bypass last thanksgiving and she tells me I should have died. Scared to go around her. I feel for others suffering from family members suffering this sickness. 🙏🙏

[@perriannesimkhovitch1127]

Move off grid

[@KRzzzzzzzz]

And isolate?

[@jaewise6198]

Im trying to help my sister. Its so hard she's high functioning and hides her diagnosis well until she is stressed. I feel helpless too sometimes but Im not giving up I know i can make life better for her

[@pinchebruha405]

You’re a good sister

[@vickirojas8579]

Try medical keto diet for mental illness