even when you know, there's nothing you can say

[lathriel]

Hm.
Does anyone else remember me when I was going through that phase of self-loathing/pity that made me rather nihilistic and depressed? Yeah. That was a while ago. I think I'm over it now. I don't even really remember how I justified my depression.
But then again, I don't really know how to justify universal happiness. Especially to someone who believes that death is better than the life they are living.
So, when I go to visit my cousin in ECMC next weekend, what do I say to him so that he doesn't end up there again, without invalidating his emotions or making him wrong?

Comments

[genericrick.livejournal.com]

I don't really know the specific circumstances behind his admission, but I might be able to offer general advice if it's just one point in the depression spectrum leading to suicidal tendencies:

Obviously, invalidating his suicidal emotions is something that should come eventually, but that's better handled by professionals. As a family member, your role should be supportive, but in a fairly generalized sense. By that, I mean supporting his current/future convalescent path while making it clear that he's loved, and that any negative actions on his part would be unjustly inflicting pain upon loved ones. It's fairly cliche, yeah, but familial closeness is a double-edged sword, you know? It's easier to feel alienated in that state when loved ones are too critical. Basically, yours is a role subsidiary to whatever professional help he may pursue; objectivity is one of the best ways to treat something like this.