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Helping Someone Depressed
In the SHM Forums, Joanna responded to one member who was asking for an advice on how to help someone depressed. She wrote:
I agree with Dini about your having done the right thing about not calling her doctor. If you had, he/she would need to tell her (standard protocol); and THEN this woman would really have something to be upset with you about. Crossing that line is unforgivable for most people, right or wrong.
If she talks to you about suicide, homicide, or abusing old people or children, that when you have every right and every reason to call her doctor – not a second before that, no matter what you think the problem is. No wait, if she is in a job of responsibility and is drinking alcohol or abusing drugs and say, driving a school bus while intoxicated, she is endangering herself or children, then it is ok for you to call some authority.
That doesn't mean she will not hate you for it. She might get mad at you if you do call and report her to someone, but at least you would be in the right. Given the circumstance you describe, there's no way you'd be considered in the right, and you'd be accused of not respecting boundaries.
There's a difference between reasoning and emotional reasoning. It's the difference between your mind knowing the rules and us your feelings to make decisions. Feelings are not good decision makers. If you use them alone, you will get confused very easily. Our feelings especially can not be relied upon to make decisions that touch our own issues so closely, and that have such profound repercussions on other people.
It is great that you are checking these things out here and getting other people's opinions.thumbs down It's also great that you're going to the gym!! Hurray for you! Use it or lose it 