You had a heart attack about a year ago. You also have someone who loves you who doesn’t want you to have another heart attack. I don’t want you to have another heart attack because I want to meet you in London some day.
I don’t think this should be your responsibility if the man has any other friends at all. If he says you are his only friends, that’s a sign of much longer term problems if true and manipulation if it isn’t.
You’re not responsible for doing more than you can emotionally afford to do.
I don’t know about UK involuntary committment laws, but in the US, suicide attempts will be considered reason enough.
Someone mentioned the Samaritans — I’ve noted someone else mentioning them in connection with serious depression in the UK and that does sound like a good idea. They’d be able to deal with the legal aspects of committment in the UK if it comes to that. Your mental health people would be able to help him sort out his other problems.
Your own health comes first. Really, really, really.
I wanted first to thank everyone who’s responded, or those who just read the entry about my friend and spared a thought. It is much appreciated.
Second, I’d like to muse a bit on compassion and its relation to health. I am very grateful for the kind words
I’d like to assure everyone that in this case, the additional stress occasioned by my friend’s difficulties is not affecting my health. I feel fine, I am not drinking, overeating, or doing anything other than I would normally do.
The stress I would be under if I were to let Nicky down and try to pass him off to other friends, acquaintances, or the tender mercies of the street would, I am sure, affect my health in an adverse way.
So as not to be co-dependent, I am committed to helping Nicky get the help he needs within a week. However, I would be remiss in my duty as a friend and as a fellow traveller on Earth if I didn’t at least try to help.
So, thanks all. I will keep you abreast of developments as and when they happen.
Stress takes a long time to show up. Stress is the production of adrenaline without releasing it by manifesting anger or performing physical exercise (fight or flight). Adrenaline destroys insulin. Chronic stress may show up in many ways, such as blood sugar control issues or deterioration of responses from the brainstem or midbrain. You are already diabetic; additional chronic stress may cause your blood sugar control to deteriorate, followed by lots of bad things happening.
Don’t dismiss stress so lightly.