help, no intervention unless they are criminally dangerous, and even then, it's only temporary unless they agree to get help (which, schizophrenics do NOT, by and large).

I never talk about it here, because, it's a bummer. And no one can help me or do anything but be bummed out by it, but I'm so glad to see SOMEONE talking about it.

I am afraid, both for myself and the rest of my family. I am afraid for innocent bystanders. I live with that fear, and with trying to manage and diffuse and buffer to keep the situation from turning violent

because there IS nothing else I can do. This has to be fixed. Any random one of you could be the victim of someone who is ill. Not evil, just ill.

but in the name of patient's rights we have removed all the safety nets. There has to be another way

that is a heartbreaking story, and I can do nothing but offer you my support and hope with you that the people in charge will wake up and something will change to help these very sick people so they can have

something that you can actually call a life, and their environment is safe

yeah it sucks

Oh Renee

i'm sorry, feel so helpless to be able to do nothing but comfort and support you from afar (stupid enter key)

It's tragic how the mental health system has broken down. All too often families bear a great deal of the burden and stress without much support. Then, when a tragedy happens, society is quick to point fingers.

my step aunt was schizophrenic, it was not easy to deal for my gparents, & parents to deal with her. But she did spend a great deal of time in institutions. It was a tragic life for her & the family.

This is making me try not to cry, at work. I totally get it.

Nobody can talk about this stuff with people. Not real people, in your life. They would freak out or think you were exaggerating.

and worse they treat you are hold you at arms length like YOU could be that way as well

I had to grow up in a small town, were a large number of people knew that my step aunt had killed her child. So I wasn't allowed to play with other kids from families that recalled that.

the saving grace was that it was in the 60's when women were not really associated much with their maiden name.

as much as I hate the idea of institutions, they are needed for the well being of families and communities. The mentally ill, in a moment of clarity would probably agree. It's difficult when they are on their

their own, because you live with this fear anything could go wrong. Having a safe place that could care, and medicate for a quality of life is essential.

yes all this. And I'm no hero. I don't think I can fix this problem, and I'm not even sure I can prevent things from getting much worse. The police have been involved many times because of incidents that

resulted in assault or destruction of property, but their is no public mental hospital where the crimes took place and the actions weren't severe enough to warrant more than a brief arrest.

*there

if this happens in your family, you can choose to turn your back on the person, let them be homeless, sick, and probably dead, or you can sacrifice your own safety and well-being to try and keep them somewhat

managed, and hope that your situation is different from the one in this story, and won't end this way.

no one wins here. Not my family member, who lives with constant paranoid delusions that her life is in danger, constant fear and rage and a basic inability to care for herself, not me, and not the countless

people who cross her path and become the subjects of her delusions, and victims of her revenge (so far relatively petty, but it's been escalating) or "protective" response.

she is not capable of appreciating her state, her need for care, or the inappropriateness of her thoughts and actions, and there is no way to take control of her life until she commits a serious enough criminal

act to have her charged with a real crime.

Unfortunately right now the best help for the mentally ill is in prisons. I'm do sorry for what you're going though.

I am so sorry. It is hellish and scary and hopeless, especially when you risk yourself to try and save the rest from the maybe.

huge hugs