[RamblinClementine]

My brother has been wandering the United States since March. He is mentally ill. He just called from New York and I'm in California. The charge was gonna be $15.99.

I didn't pick it up. I feel guilty cause I know he's likely in a snow storm and living on the street but I'm already renting a car this weekend to visit my schizophrenic mom, who lives in a government assisted halfway home, and my dad, who separately lives in a rehab/hospice place. I actually am gonna charge the trip on a credit card, because I don't have enough cash to pay for this trip.

He was likely calling for $, which I don't have.

Bleh. I can't help everyone, and I can't help hardly anyone.

[Little Lulu]

It always hurts when we say 'No' to someone ... even when that 'No' is not answering the call. We think we are the only ones who can help but that is not true. There are other people to call, shelters, hospitals, food pantries, soup kitchens, government programs, rehabs, government housing, etc, etc.

If your brother has made it since March, there is every likelihood that he will make it through this rough spot. It is good for you to know when you are on overload and cannot take on another person.

[Victoria'smom]

Does he have ssi/ssdi?You may want to become his payee if he is. He needs to be in residential care unit with housing step down like

[RamblinClementine]

His SSI is supposedly directly deposited to his bank account, and he has to agree for me to be his payee, which he won't. He was in special housing until he left and started his wandering.

[Mygrandjourney]

Learning how to budget on a fixed income is a valuable life skill!
You can also take a look at the NAMI website to see if there are any family/caregiver support groups in your area.

[RamblinClementine]

Hmmm. Interesting comment.

I guess money is definitely an issue but more so the issue is that I feel overwhelmed by having to care-give for so many people at once, and I don't have anyone besides my boyfriend intimately supporting me.

There's actually no support groups close enough to get to even though I live in the Bay Area. I've looked into it recently.

[Mygrandjourney]

Originally Posted by RamblinClementine

Hmmm. Interesting comment.

I guess money is definitely an issue but more so the issue is that I feel overwhelmed by having to care-give for so many people at once, and I don't have anyone besides my boyfriend intimately supporting me.

There's actually no support groups close enough to get to even though I live in the Bay Area. I've looked into it recently.

They may have some online chat groups that you could check out. I'm sure you have heard that taking care of yourself is a good place to start.