So I have this friend that I'm close with who reminds me a lot about how I used to be.

He's a great person but is struggling a lot with his mental health. He comes from a broken home where his parents treat him like crap. He writes lyrics and makes death metal. Heck, he's a damn good musician and could probably do something with his talent if he had the money for better equipment. We have so much in common it's almost scary. His parents tried to have him locked up in psych wards all because he wrote metal lyrics at a young age and they thought he was devil worshipping. Yet, he is one of the kindest most down to earth people I have ever met.

Anyways, fast forward to present day he has trouble finding/holding down a job. His family has him so messed up that he has constant anger issues/outbursts. He flat out told me that the only thing keeping him from beating the **** out of his father was because he doesn't want to bring his suffering onto his enemies. I met him at the community college I go to he was taking classes trying to do something with his life. He seemed more stable there. Unfortunately, he lost his financial aid because he had trouble getting to a class on the first day because of the piss poor public transportation we have here combined with the fact he has to walk 2 miles through meth head territory where he fears for his well being just to get to the bus stop. He got kicked out of the class and has to pay the school $600 back. He couldn't afford it because he was using his financial aid refund to help with bills and he gave money to his mother to pay some of the bills because the electric was getting shut off but she decided to blow money on drugs instead. His homelife is so chaotic that his father is picking fights with him over stupid crap like who gets the first cup of coffee. His father flat out tried to bait him into a fist fight all over a cup of coffee. How messed up can you get?

I'm worried about him because he got kicked out of school and he was texting me about how his plans are ruined and he just doesn't care about life anymore. He was talking about how he doesn't care if he lives or dies. I was able to calm him down yesterday and I've tried to give him resources to get help. Even got a hold of my old case manager from back when I was on a short term housing grant to try to get him on the grant and away from his crazy family. The case manager even said he would pull some strings to get him on quickly. Problem is he said he has trouble getting his thoughts organized enough to get help. He also said he's afraid of being locked up for life because of how messed up he is. Also he is so poor right now he can't even afford a bus pass. I told him I would buy him a 30 day bus pass when I get my money. I am prepared to move mountains to help him but he needs to take the first step.

How else can I help my friend?