I am working with a 15-year-old boy who lives alone with his mother. He has confided in me that she is often suicidal and that he never knows what he will find when he gets home. I feel this is too much for him.
This is an awful situation for anyone, not least a young person. It sounds as though there are no other adults around. This is not a healthy environment for the young person to be in. You should encourage him to get some counselling, either through your local child and adolescent mental health service, the charity Mind or his GP.
His mother’s GP or local mental health service should also be able to support this young man. It sounds like he is a young carer and should have access to respite services as well as some assistance. Find out who he has visiting and what support systems there are for his mother. See time-to-change.org.uk for information on coping with loved ones who are mentally unwell. Youngcarers.net is a helpful online forum for young carers to talk with others about their issues.
Answered by Tracie Trimmer-Platman, senior lecturer in youth and community work at the University of East London
Email questions, marked “Experts”, to cypnow@markallengroup.com
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