What am I supposed to do as the oldest sibling?
So much unpacked tonight and I don't know what to do. I'm the oldest of four. How am I supposed to keep it together and the family at a certain normal?
Tw: Family issues + Mental Health + Self-harm
My parents got into it harder then usual to the point that I know my mom has reached her breaking point. I'm so scared. I don't know if they'll divorce and I know for a fact that my dad may not allow it at all. My mom lost both of her parents, so she has no one to really help protect her if my dad does something stupid. I know my grandparents on my dad's side will always side with my dad, even if things may go bad. She wailed,wept, and cried out. I'm so scared to leave my mom just with my dad.
Tw: Mental health + Self-harm
Within this time period, my brother the 2nd oldest was up. I have found the core of my brother's (16) depression leading to his self-harm. Out of the pressure of the argument,he poured out to me. I'm so scared and confused. Do I tell my parents about that, too? I know that these arguments are contributing towards my brother's depression as he feels the need to try to fix it up. What do I even tell my two other siblings (9 & 10) about our trip tomorrow?
@SweetSugarBoost Hello, hope this message finds you well. It is heartbreaking to see what you posted and it might be hard for anyone to untangle all the troubles. But I think my first and foremost advice for you is to stay safe and try to protect your siblings and your mother if you believe your father could potentially harm her. If your mother has any siblings or close relatives, you could reach out to them for help. The second choice is to contact local non-profit volunteer groups - they normally would help if emergencies happened and even provide legal advice for free. Things need to be solved one by one and once things settle down, you could start to help your brother with his self-harm issue by seeking professional help. At the same time, pls also take good care of yourself. Good luck!!