Helping a friend recover from a midlife, financial and mental health breakdown. Any stories of bouncing back?

[Anonymous]

I've got a friend of about 25 years who went through/goes through similar cycles. I am just there for them to talk to when they need it. And sometimes I offer odd jobs when they need extra cash. They are on medicaid, which helps with the doctor bills. They have a part-time job at a shop another friend owns. They recently turned 62 and started to collect SS. I found that I can't offer more than this - when they spiral they can't/won't listen at all, and when they aren't spiraling they can barely listen. I can't fix them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The book Life is in the Transitions by Bruce Feiler.

I know Bruce and he interviewed me for the book. He is incredible self absorbed and focused; most people can’t apply his experience for themselves.

OMG, DH loves this book. DH is supremely confident, but not necessarily self absorbed, so can still see why he likes this book.

[Anonymous]

If there are addiction issues, those have to be dealt with first before anything else will fall into place.

[Anonymous]

She needs to see a menopause doctor. Check out NAMS. Mental health and suicide rates are high at this age because of declining estrogen. Making a big transition in midlife is common, but she needs to take care of herself first.

[Anonymous]

She can look into subsidized housing - in montgomery county there are mpdu's and the city of Rockville has a separate program. It sounds like she would meet the income requirements but she would probably need a down paymnet.