Hi Whirlwind. This really is a great group of women and very supportive.

How old is your young friend? If he's in his teens or even early 20s I'm highly surprised that the doctor put him on that many meds. It really is counter-indicated for young people based on studies that have been done. That's why the person needs to be closely monitored.

The highest suicide rate is for men around the age of 72. My father committed suicide at the age of 70. The next highest age is 18. My older son attempted (and did not succeed, thank God) at the age of 18.

It really does take a lot out of you to deal with a person in crisis. It's a daily affair, if not hourly. Is there anyone else that can help you?

Some of my coaching clients have come to me with depression. Some are tired of trying drugs because they make them feel like they are surreal. Others are having "situational" depression, which sounds more like what you experienced. In other words, there is a reason for the depression and therefore a way out of it more easily than for the person who feels like there is no way out of the depressed thoughts in their mind.

Having someone else to talk things over with, a close friend, clergy, therapist, coach, someone....is a really important step, I believe. We each have our way of looking at the world that seems rational to us. The problem is that we are stuck in our circuits. Other possibilities don't occur to us. It takes someone outside of our own head to help us see them.

So my suggestion would be to talk about life's possibilities with the young man and get more help.

In spirit,
Casey