<p>I posted this in the College admissions thread, but I think posting here would also be immensely helpful. </p>
<p>My brother is in a special situation where he's currently (and for about a month) been at a hospital because my parents are unwilling to take care of him. He's unfairly been through so much because of inadequate parents, and basically he was forced into a mental hospital no the basis that he has severe depression (even though he's actually perfectly normal, the people in there always ask him why he's even there, and the nurses and staff all admit they're confused about his stay as well). Either way throughout all the mishap and confusion, it's clear he's always been extremely bright--all A's and had stellar extracurriculars--Math competition awards, 1st ranked in all state tennis in his division. But recently, because of our family situation, he's missed almost a month or two of school and is behind on all of his standardized test prep, school, schoolwork, etc. I can't stand him ruining his chances of college just because of my parents. His dream school is Berkeley, and I sincerely believe he can get in. However, if he dropped out this junior year, and restarted junior year next year, would his chances of getting in be lessened? I think he would be able to get his life back together, go to retreats, camps, plan out what he wants, etc. His grades have been falling because of his missing school assignments that the school "said" that they would send, but never did (even with consistent emails and calls from me). Or would the college see that as "giving up"?</p>
<p>Please help with any input, and thank you for reading such a long post
-A confused, helpless sister</p>
<p>Is there any adult you trust that you can talk with about this situation? Is there anyone your parents trust that can also be persuaded to help sort things out? Generally, people are NOT admitted into a mental hospital UNLESS there is some sort of showing as to why the person needs to be there.</p>
<p>It is hard for any of us so far away to help with this situation. Do you attend the same HS as your brother? The HS should be working with your brother and parents to help him continue his education as well as figure out what makes sense for him in terms of making up any missed work or potentially repeating JR year.</p>
<p>It is very important that any mental health issues related to his hospital admission be cleared up first and foremost. College can wait and any unresolved issues can get MUCH worse with the pressures of college.</p>
<p>As a sibbling, you don’t really have standing to act on your brother’s behalf, but if your brother is a minor, his parents DO. Us can be understanding of special circumstances, but it is really important to figure out why he’s in the hospital and what the options are for him at the moment. None of us on the internet can do this–an adult your parents respect can be very helpful as an ally.</p>
<p>Seems like figuring out and solving the situation between him and his/your parents is the most important thing to figure out. Otherwise, even if he turns this year into a gap year, the same problem will disrupt his life and school work next year.</p>
<p>I am an international student myself, but have been around CC for a while and here are my two cents. I don’t think his chances would lessen, given that he exploits that gap year to the hilt. High school students take gap years all the time, do some really impressive work which shows on their resumes, which actually improves their applications.</p>
<p>Your story is really touching and I feel sorry about your brother just reading it. I really hope he gets his life back on track!</p>
<p>I agree with ucbalumnus…the priority is a safe living situation for your brother. Where is he going to live once he is released from the hospital?</p>
<p>Talk to the guidance counselor at school…tell them more details about why “my parents are unwilling to take care of him. He’s unfairly been through so much because of inadequate parents,” They can help him get resources to get back on track.</p>
<p>Does the hospital have a school? Usually there is a staff person who handles educational issues.</p>
<p>Without parental involvement, it may be tough to force the school to provide accommodations that are legally required. He should have a 504 plan. They should be sending work regularly, including what is covered in class, what homework and projects are due, even tests, quizzed and exams. And notes from classes.</p>
<p>A month is a reasonable time frame for the school to do this.</p>
<p>Would anyone talk to the 504 coordinator at your school? Often the principal. Or the guidance counselor? Clearly you cannot be expected to hire an advocate. But you can call a Federation for Children with Special Needs for a free advocate in training. And the Federal Dept. of Education has an office for civil rights for problems like this: they can talk to your school and help the school help your brother. Often schools just don’t know what to do.</p>
<p>Is the hospital near the school? The school should be providing a tutor, really, and the tutor could bring all of the materials mentioned above, or a liaison person can get them from school to hospital.</p>
<p>I’m sorry, this is really too much for a sister to handle. You need adult help.</p>
<p>And these days a person needs to be dangerous to self or others to be involuntarily committed and often that “pink slip” period of involuntary confinement only lasts 3 days, unless the court continues it. So not sure what is really happening with your brother.</p>