Happy New Year, Your Brother is Dead
 

So, I think all of the regulars here probably know that I post about my alcoholic mother a lot. What nobody knew was that I also have a bipolar, alcoholic, drug addict brother. Well, I had, until the 29th of December. He was 19 years older than me, so we never lived together, and his drinking never affected me directly. So, I never mentioned him because I didn't think it was significant. God, how I wish I had talked about him. Or talked to him more. Maybe dealing with this news may have been easier. Maybe not.

My brother was a tortured soul. We have another brother who is financially very well-to-do, and he got AB the best care he could for his bipolar. Unfortunately, the system in the US is highly flawed, and it's more about making money than helping people. The more you're struggling, the more money they make trying to "fix" you. But that's another topic for a different forum here. Long story short, AB was homeless and fighting demons stronger than himself. He was found in some bushes, in his sleeping bag, having died of "natural causes." Losing him at a young 49 is bad enough, but the circumstances surrounding his death have me so angry. Not at him, not at my brother, but at the piece of **** mental health system in this country. Would a better system have cured him completely? Maybe not, but I know for certain my brother wouldn't have been treated like a piece of garbage, or died on the side of the road like one.

I miss him so much. Rest in peace, dear brother. You're not suffering anymore.

Oh Grits I am so sorry for your loss. Sending you strength and peace.

Lots of hugs, Grits. I'm sorry for your loss.

I'm sorry for your loss.

D

:candle5D:

I am sorry for your loss. Prayers for you and all who loved him.

I am so sorry to hear the news about your
brother....
My heart goes out to you....

Linda

I'm so sorry for your loss. Prayers for your family.

I am so sorry for your loss GRITS. My prayers for peace go out to you and your family....

So sorry NWGrits! My thoughts and prayers are with you.

I am so, so sorry about your brother.

I agree that the mental health system in this country is in a sad state of affairs. No one should have to suffer like that.

Wishing you and your family much love and healing.

I'm sorry :(

:candle6D:GRITS---He is at peace, and I can tell by your words that he is loved and missed. My heart goes out to you. I send you my deepest condolences.

dandylion

I'm so, so sorry for this shocking loss. ((((hugs)))) & prayers!

I agree with you on the system and I'm so sorry for your loss.

I'm so sorry for your loss. You have every right to be angry at this stupid system.

I'm very sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers to you and all who loved him.

Thank you, everyone. I've been alternating between fine and a complete wreck all day. I got the call from my dad last night while on the airport shuttle coming home from the trip to Tennessee. I just keep picturing the scene from the local news story there (he lived on the other side of the country from me, and not in Tennessee), and I lose it. No one should have to live or die that way. What really gets me is that it could BE me. I also suffer from bipolar, which is getting worse as time marches on. It could be my kids, my sister, either of my two remaining brothers... Something needs to be done to genuinely help people with mental illness in this country. The current state of things isn't cutting it.

i am sorry.

I'm very sorry for your loss. It is very difficult to see our loved ones suffer and die this way.

I am so sorry. My pryers are with you.