We had our first lecture on psychiatry yesterday, and learned the basics of the DSM IV–the big thick tome-of-a-book that helps mental health folks to diagnose mental illnesses. Recently I’d been talking with a friend about his possible depression, and encouraged him to at least talk to someone at CAPS about his concerns, and I really hope he starts to feel more like himself again soon. Sometimes I wish these were things I could just do for people, but in mental health especially, I think it requires a certain amount of personal motivation. The individual has to want to change.

I guess all one can do sometimes is try to be encouraging and supportive, and to lend an ear. Unfortunately, sometimes even that can get complicated by one’s own feelings.

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