Help! economy is making my mom resort to drastic ideas.?

It's a recession. Not supposed to be easy, sorry, not much we can do as we ourselves are strangers. My best advice is to take the matter into your own hands and present it to her as best as possible. Additionally, I moved out when I was 17, not easy, but I attended college and had a job. It all worked out in the end. That's worst case scenario I hope in your position however.