I love my brother. I feel he may try to kill himself fairly soon. He says he has planed it twice but does not feel he is capable of doing so. He just seems to get more and more hopeless. He is out of work, lives with a very angry father and enabling mother. He has recently gone public about his sexuality and has, at least in his eyes, failed at work and as a Christian. I am truely worried. Should I drop what I am doing to go and help? Should I try and get him into a medical unit for help? Am I delaying the inevitable or enabling him if I go to help? I just want my brother back. etc..... Thanks, John D.
Signed,
John D, 42, Richardson TX
Dear John,



Sounds like you’re a good brother. However, I hope you have already acted on your concerns about your brother, and have not been waiting for a response from “Dear Trevor.” As we say on the website, this is not a venue for emergency or immediate responses. For you and for anyone else reading this, please do not write to “Dear Trevor” if you have a critical situation going on—call our helpline—1-866-4-U-TREVOR!



That said, in answer to your question, yes, if you are seriously concerned about your brother’s state of mind, drop what you are doing and help him get to a mental health professional. If he is 23 or younger, encourage him to call our helpline in the meantime. If he is older, refer him to the Gay and Lesbian National Hotline (1-888-843-4564).



Trevor