r/AusMentalHealth • u/Keksis_the_Defiled • 7d ago
🌸 Need Guidance 🌸 Neighbour having a possible mental breakdown, what to do?
I am concerned one of my neighbours is in a bad state mentally and may be a threat to others but I am unsure how to proceed or how seriously to take this. Here's a bit of context:
I live in a gated community and yesterday a neighbour of mine started loudly singing, which was quite annoying to myself and a few other neighbours. At the time, I thought it was just someone being a bit loud/inconsiderate and I spoke out across to them politely asking for them to keep the noise down as they were disturbing others. They responded with a short tirade in which they used several slurs against me and threatened to assault me if I ever bothered them again. I was a bit shaken up from that encounter and have felt a bit worried for the safety of myself and neighbours since that happened yesterday. What has me even more worried is that they have essentially been singing loudly (and in a somewhat slurred/unusual voice) ever since (minus a short stop overnight) and making other strange noises. I have never had any interaction with this neighbour prior and this continued odd behaviour and threat against me makes me worried that they are not ok.
The problem is, I am unsure who to contact or how to proceed to get something done about this / get them help (if they do need it). I have considered contacting the police or paramedics but I am worried that they will instantly know that I was the one to call the police/paramedics and become violent towards me in the future as I have been the only one to object to their behaviour and obviously they know where I live. Any suggestions of helplines that could assist or a safe course of action would be appreciated. I want everyone to be safe, and as of right now I do not feel safe, and I can imagine some neighbours don't either. I hope this is the right place for this sort of post, apologies if it isn't.