Giday CNGU, first up I am no psychologist and as such please take this as just my understanding.

First up anyone who threatens suicide and has the means of carrying that out needs to be taken seriously. As you say this person has the ability ie the weapon coupled with the depression. What in my understanding is next most concerning is if he has a plan.

If you can broach the topic without escalating the issue would be helpful. If he does have a plan and the means to carry this out then ask him if he has spoken with his therapist about his plan, if not then ask if he would do so. Whatever way all you do is support them and encouraging him to seek professional help.

Secondly and at the risk at sounding cruel whatever way the person goes is their decision, whilst you can support you can not force him to do anything. This also means you are not responsible for his behaviours/actions.

Please remember this is just my understanding, I wish you and your friend all the best G8

As far as I know he has no plans to carry it out. He just said 'this too shall pass'. But mention of suicide and 'other things' lends itself to my thinking that it could involve violence against other people. I am a roommate of his so I don't want to get caught in one of those moments where he decides to carry something out. I'm not a psychiatrist either but my guess is that he has some other mental issues going on which have nothing to do with the alcoholism. He tends to have rapid mood shifts, changes his mind a lot about almost everything.. He is 51 and has never really been under proper care to determine if other things are occurring aside from the alcoholism. I just don't want to be the person who happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time if he has some sort of breakdown. I wish he'd seek psychiatric help and not just see a therapist who doesn't seem to provide much help for him. I did not expect him to say he went out onto the firing range yesterday and fired his gun which he'd had for over 7 months without bothering to learn how to fire it. I don't know. He didn't make an overt threat to me but again, he's unpredictable. This would have been true with his drinking but rarely were there overtones of violence against himself or others.. if he did relapse I'd be getting the hell out of here that's for sure because I don't want to be on the receiving end of whatever he's been entertaining even if he has no 'official plan'. He's never had an 'official plan' for any of his erratic behavior. He's also concerning one other roommate as well. I feel a little helpless in all of this as you can read.

He's the leaseholder on the property so the rest of us just pay him and then he pays the rental company so having him thrown out isn't really within any of our legal rights.

I'm not a psychologist either. This is just my opinion.

I'm with Gr8. If someone mentions or alludes to being suicidal, you can't afford not to take it seriously. Especially as it regards your personal safety if he's going to the range to practice using his gun and you think he's not stable at this point.

Most police departments have trained Mental Health Deputies who can come assess the person and commit them for 24 hours until they can see the hospital psychiatrist. Might be a good idea to go visit family just to get away from the mess. It's not your job to monitor him. Whatever he does, it's on him.

Godspeed in whatever you decide.

CNGU, if I am reading correct you do not have an emotional tie to the bloke just a person you share a place of accommodation.

No idea of what your circumstances are or if you are able to just up and go. However, as you said if he relapses you would be out of there, problem is you may not realise he has relapsed till it is too late. If you can go now go, especially if you have no emotional tie to him.

At this point in time your safety is your first concern everything else is secondary.

Then as G2B says maybe involve the police.

Wishing you well G8

Like GR8 said. Plus, it sounds like he may have some undiagnosed mental health issues going on and for that reason, I would keep my distance from him for my own health! Rapid mood shifts like that are a red flag for trouble down the road and if he has a gun, and is unstable, you may want to tell the police and/or his psychologist.

IMHO!

Good Luck!

Most people that are drinkers have an underlying cause and most times it is mental illness.

He needs help and medication. That is all you can suggest to him.
You can't project if he will relapse or not and as you know..you have to take care of YOU and the rest will work out.

I think you need to talk to authorities. Agree with G8ful. Threats of suicide (and homicide) need to be taken very seriously.

After 2 weeks of sobriety a psychiatrist can diagnose comorbids that need to be treated. This includes depression, bipolar schizophrenia etc. He needs to see a doctor who can communicate with his therapist.

Thanks for the input everybody. He offered rooms for a rent in a very expensive place for 400 bucks. I ended up having a pulmonary embolism from an athletic injury so ended up here as I couldn't afford my other place during this recovery period. I'm staying out of his way and just staying with my own things. As a 41-year-old woman I never thought I'd have to concern myself with something like this. There are two other roommates, however. I know I can't prevent his relapse nor control his behavior nor am I interested in it. I'm wanting my OWN life to be safe as well. I will have to see what is available to me in terms of help because I'm still recovering from a near fatal pulmonary embolism and a recent diagnosis of 2 blood disorders. At least I have my sobriety.

I brought up the psychiatrist yesterday and he was adamantly against it. I don't know why his own therapist hasn't see co-morbidity but I see it and I have seen it to varying degrees. I went through a divorce then had the embolism then ended up staying in this house because it was inexpensive for what I need right now since I can't get back to work. I just don't want him to go into a psychotic breakdown and hurt me. I have uncles with this type of thing so I know what I'm looking at.