Where to go for help

Why don’t people read the thread, people are suggesting CBT but he’s already had CBT
Please don’t all blame the doctor he has been trying different anti depressants for the nephew and also arranged CBT so he/she sounds as if they have tried
What do his parents say or do about his situation ?
What happened five years ago to cause him to lose his job and become isolated ?
Does he want help from you?
Mental heath teams are often so underfunded in some areas that their hands are tied so much that the help they can give without long waiting lists is very limited they are stretched beyond recognition Charities like Mind can be enormously helpful though
You sound a lovely caring person Nannyto3 but where are the parents in this scenario

Catterygirl I think you need to start your own thread this is about Nannyto3 s nephew

You do not mention your nephew's parents or family who live near him? Are they part of the problem or willing to help?

Lots of good advice about referrals via MIND and possibly some psychotherapy, IAPT is ok for some but is essentially short term.

MIND or CAPE will also know about walking for health, cooking classes and possibly other projects that get isolated people out of their bedrooms.

I would want to know why he is on medication for so long without any apparent improvement. Certainly you could visit and see what can be done about him getting out a bit. Is there a sport centre nearby? Our local GPS have some kind of system whereby they can refer patients for three months free membership of the local sports centre. Seems to be doing a lot of good.

Easy stuff like going to the cinema can help. If you were visiting, he might like to go with you to see a film, maybe a drink or snack?

Just a few thoughts. Depression is so tiring, it can be of great benefit if someone else initiates a few things. Getting started is the main thing.

Personally I’ve found this advice from Mind to be most helpful:

www.mind.org.uk/media/1877991/mind-guide-to-seeking-help-2015-web-pdf.pdf

It recommends the steps to take after seeing your GP.

Did he lose his job due to his depression? It's a vicious circle as being stuck in the house with no means of getting out to meet people will make his health worse. You haven't mentioned how his parents are coping with his mental health issues - are they ignoring it and hoping he'll 'snap out of it' - if so that won't be helping. You sound a very caring aunt and I wonder if perhaps you could get up to stay with him and then help him make the journey to your house. This might of course make his anxiety worse but it might be that if he could stay with you he'd be able to register with a new GP and have better treatment?

I haven’t read it yet but Matt Haigs book Notes on a nervous planet seems to be appropriate. I suffer from anxiety albeit not to the level you describe CBT didn’t help but breathing exercises did. I think your nephew will need small steps as others have suggested. Local places to go with people who won’t flinch if he says he wants to go home or who can encourage the breathing if he gets anxious

bluebelle
I too wondered why CBT was being mentioned when he's already had it.

Sometimes we can't get the full picture especially from afar.
Are you sure it is MH alone?
Does he have a proper diagnosis of depression and anxiety?
Any suspicion of alchohol or drugs?
What do his parents think?

From the OP
'I thought mental health was supposed to be much higher priority these days. Doesn’t seem like it.'
How can it be, when professionals in mental health are allegedly leaving in droves with no hope of replacement? As I read in last Sunday's Observer.

There are a series of books written by dr Claire weekes.they are probably out of print now. They helped me so much during this awful time. She understands.she is calm and kind.
I even slept with it under my pillow.
Self help for your nerves. Try amazon. Worth a try. Tell him also that if nothing changes things will stay the same.little tiny steps, build up confidence. Sitting indoors is not good the only things you think about is you.so the circle goes on and on. Can you visit him. Bless you for caring so much.