<prompt> Human: Let me preface this post by saying that this isnt a desperate situation, my family is middle class and he has a roof over his head and food at home. Having said that, what worries me is that its been 5 years and he hasnt found stable employment for more than 2 weeks per year. Five years ago he dropped out of community college for not writing some final exams. Those unexcused final exams ended up preventing him from taking classes for a year. The aftermath has been 5 years of continued unemployment for him. Early on, my uncle found him some manual labour jobs but he didnt like it. I am a few years younger but I did the same manual labour jobs, while it was tough it wasnt demeaning or anything like that. Since then he has denied the same uncle from giving him a job as a janitor and instead wanted to find employment on his own. Fast forward 4 years and hes still unemployed, the only job he has been getting is a seasonal job in the summer for a few weeks. I dont think its a lack of trying, I think he is genuinely applying for jobs he is interested in. My question to personalfinance is what should I do as his brother to help him through this difficult time? Should I be convincing him to take up one of those manual labour jobs or should the family continue to let him figure it out on his own? I feel that hes tearing apart his future and that if he doesnt start getting employment soon he will be on a path to literally nowhere. This is my first reddit post and Im so glad to get this off my chest. p.s. Personal Finance is my favourite sub reddit : EDIT: Thank you for all constructive responses. Process will be intervention - hopefully therapy to determine any mental illnesses - if no mental illness - increasing pressure repo possessions, light, heatingac - if mental illness is present then just continue therapy As a family member its hard to judge the situation because Ive been judging the problem with my own perceptionbias. Third party analysis is always nice to have. Assistant: Sounds like he doesnt want a job. Why would he with your family continuing to support him? I think he needs you to set him straight. Theres no way you go 5 years without having a job for more than 2 weeks at a time if you actually want a job. He may think that hes above manual labour, flipping burgers or stocking shelves,etc. and so he doesnt apply for these. even though theyre really the only jobs hes gonna get with his work history and educationIf you really think hes not the problem, then sit down and talk to him about it. Look over his resume, do some mock interviews to see how he answers questions, how does he dress, is he always on his cellphone? These are things that could have an impact on him getting a job. Human: I dont think leaving him on the street is a good idea, he does not have any means of supporting himself and has shown for 5 years that he cant find a job on his own. Refuses psychological therapy for his past parents divorced and to the extent of my knowledge rarely goes out to have a social life.  <response>: This is going to be harsh, but here goes: he does not have any means of supporting himselfHes an able bodied adult. He could support himself if he needed to. has shown for 5 years that he cant wont find a job on his own. Hes been given jobs and quit. Not liking a job isnt an excuse when youre 30 years old and living with your parents. Among people without a college education, very very few have a job theyd say they like. But they do like having a roof over their heads and food on the table, so they make do. Your brother isnt a special snowflake, and it would probably do him some good if his family stopped treating him as such. 