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My son is 19, doesn't have a job (but is looking), and not in school. He isn't the type of person who would play video games all day, he has actually been looking for a job and had been to interviews, but won't get hired.
He feels ashamed for still living at home and not having a job. I'm afraid one day he'll just leave and be homeless, like he said he'd do. He also talks a lot about suicide and depression.
You haven't given much information. Do you have any insight as to why he can get interviews but no offers? Does he have any prior work history? What kind of work is he seeking?
If he has his HS diploma but no job training, he may need to get more education or get into a job training program. If he is shy about the interviews, try to help him about how to fill out the application and answer interview questions. I hope he realizes that the economy still isn't the best and there are many people besides him who are having difficulties. But at 19, he probably needs more training/education.
Contact your local mental health org.
They have family support groups. I can empathize with your challenge.
Having a young adult with these ailments does put hardship on the family. You sound concerned .
Get him in better space health wise before discussing Independency. We don't send a sick child to school ... We get them well first or into a program to work thru this.
I get frustrated with society mandating certain deadlines for young adults... Some are in need of further medical attention before setting them out into a self reliant world.
Be his support and get to that org. they really do have a lot of resources to guide.
Contact your local mental health org.
They have family support groups.
I second this advice. Please convince your son to seek out therapy for his depression! And be sure to tell him your love for him is unwavering; you know he's trying his best, and you don't think any worse of him for being unemployed.
I am not a fan of "helicopter parenting" ESPECIALLY at 19, but there are exceptions to every rule. Do you have any friends, family members, acquaintances that could possibly help him get a job? Hey just may need a confidence boost. And I do agree with the others that if he has mentioned suicide he should be speaking with a therapist as well.
OUr son had similar issues although he was in college. A friend of his recognized extreme depression and convinced him to get help. He got counseling and medication. It helps him immensely.
Sometimes exercise will help fight it, but our son exercises a minimum of 4-5 hours every day - heavy exercise (he is a rower). That did not do it for him.
After going through it, he studied depression and suicide and wrote some papers/speeches about it. It is very common at this age and very scary.
My son is 19, doesn't have a job (but is looking), and not in school. He isn't the type of person who would play video games all day, he has actually been looking for a job and had been to interviews, but won't get hired.
He feels ashamed for still living at home and not having a job. I'm afraid one day he'll just leave and be homeless, like he said he'd do. He also talks a lot about suicide and depression.
Please help
I'd consider helping him get an internship Internships or, volunteer, until he finds a job.
One of the best cures for depression is activity - productivity.
You could also help him look into amazing opportunities to help those in extreme poverty (who are much much worse off than he is), like:
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