Do we report suicidal ideation?

I don't think the US Mental Health system has realized what Caregiving does to a person. We really don't have the resources needed to help these people. Some fall thru the cracks, either need to be poor or rich. Why does Medicaid need an income cap when all a person has is SS and maybe a pension. Not enough for an AL but too much for Medicaid. So we get a Miller Trust/OTI and put the excess there that Medicaid gets in the end anyway.

"An empathetic listening ear, reassurance, and practical steps to alleviate stress are basic, wonderful, supports for a distressed and weary soul."

This may help someone who has just depression to deal with but there is so much involved with being a Caregiver. Some people have given up their lives to care for a LO. Yes, they can place the parent if the parent is incompetent but what if they are competent? They are abusive, stubborn. You are stuck because you gave up everything to care for them. No home of your own, no money. And then you have to fight with SWs who tell you there is help, its ur LO u need to care for them...but you can't do it any longer. Mentally or physically.

There was a post Moms 102 the Caregiver 76. These are two Seniors. Then you have people who had children in their middle late 30s. I am one. When I am 85 my girls will be 57 and 49. At this point they are supporting themselves. I do not want them quitting jobs and caring for me. Their future is at stake.

And no they should have planned better. My Dad was a blue collar worker. Mom a Homemaker raising 4 kids in the 50s. There was no xtra money. The last child left home just before my Dad went in disability for Heart at 52. Then Mom became his Caregiver. They lived from pay to pay. The xtra money Mom had was Dads insurance which was not 50k.

This country is in a Care crisis. Medicaid needs to pay for AL too. Couples have to work 2 jobs just to pay bills. Why should a child have to give up their whole life to care for a parent.

We are living, as my daughter says, pasted the expiration date. If you reach 90 without any big health issues, you probably won't get thru 90 without some. Its always mentioned on this forum that "Mom/Dad were doing great until that fall, that broken hip, that UTI"

Each state has a list of who is a mandated reporter for suicidal ideation in MINORS, but I don't see the same for adults. Would need to search by state to know who (if anyone) is mandated to report suicidal thoughts in an adult.

The National Institute of Mental Health recommends using 988, the new national Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or texting HELLO to 741741 "to support anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress". For Service members and Veterans, call 800-273-8255, Option 1; text 838255; or chat online at www.veteranscrisisline.net/get-help/chat.

An empathetic listening ear, reassurance, and practical steps to alleviate stress are basic, wonderful, supports for a distressed and weary soul. With support from trained responders, you can help a LO see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Best wishes to you and yours.