🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <120@phoenix.UUCP> jevans@phoenix.UUCP (Janet Evans) writes:
>A very good friend has been depressed for a while (he mentions it 
>occasionally).  Tonight he asked me for help, and I know dangerously little 
>about the subject (i.e. I'm as likely to steer him wrong as I am to help him, 
>and I don't want to screw things up further).  Two questions: Can anyone point
>me to specific texts/papers on the subject (that either of us should read),
>and can anyone make any suggestions about the specific problem (described 
>below)?  Thanks.

Glad you're trying to be careful.  It's easy to make a mistake.
Zions's advice is dead wrong:

>I suggest you steer your friend to the Student Counseling Service or its
>counterpart on campus. If none exists, the Health Service (or counterpart)
>should be of assistance.

Don't pay any attention to this guy!  Student counseling services are always
trying to prevent suicide; this obviously isn't what you want.

>If you have a peer counseling group on campus, I suggest you not steer your
>friend to them.

This might work; some groups are sensible...

>Empathy is a large part of counseling.

... but not all of them. I'd say help him yourself.
Some of Zions's advice is fine:

>I also hope you will be careful with yourself when trying to help your friend.
>Counseling depressed people is a very draining and depressing thing in and of
>itself; if you do decide to help this person on your own, be sure to take care
>of yourself as well.

That is, be sure to buy two shells for the shotgun.

>Good luck and be careful.

Don't hit any passersby.

				BJO-B