My son is 17, as a child he was always a little bit challenging and 2 appointments with paediatricians at 5yo showed nothing out of the ordinary. Mental health issues run throughout both sides of mine and hubbys families. My mum and youngest brother committed suicide at 39 and 23. My sister suffers serious anxiety and depression and substance abuse, My husbands mother is bi polar and a manic depressed lady, she has had many stints in hospital to help stabilise her.we have a very happy, busy and beautiful family that includes 4 children. My husband ( there dad) and I have always provided well for our children, they are very fortunate and have very dedicated and doting parents, all 4 of them are attractive, popular and athletic.2 years ago Corey started smoking marijuana, we tried not to over react and remembered that back in our youth we too also dabbled with it. However Corey's personality has changed, he has dropped out of school, can not hold down a job, of which he has had 3, and has given up on football, he was well known throughout the club for being one of the best. He spends most days in his room and has terrible outburst regularly. His younger brother and sister are terrified of him and we all feel like we are treading on egg shells around him. If he doesn't get what he wants all hell breaks loose. He did initially see a dr ( at my work, I am a nurse) and he was very happy to give medication a try, it made him feel sick and then he refused to take it, he refuses to return for another consultation to try something gentler and absolutely refuses to see any one else for support, he cries a lot and has expressed the idea of suicide on many occasions, of course this frightens me because I know from personal experience that this is a very real probability. He is such a lovely boy, and is incredibly thoughtful, I am at a stand still, where do I go from here, we have had many conversations and he shuts any thought of help out immediately. He will not give up marijuana as he believes this is the only happy place he can go to and helps him to remain calm. Am I doing enough, I feel like I am failing him, where did I go wrong and what on earth can I do to fix this. His dad has got little patience left and has grown very angry about the whole situation, it is beginning to put a lot of strain on our 20 year marriage, which up until now has always been very happy.
beyondblue's clinically-trained moderators often work offline (invisible to you) on issues relating to suicide or self-harm. At the same time, general supportive comments from the community are encouraged. If you have concerns around suicide or self-harm, please phone our support service on 1300 22 4636.
