Better mental health care needed
Capital (Annapolis, MD)Nov 23, 2015
DEAR ABBY ABIGAIL VAN BUREN Better mental health care needed DEAR ABBY: I have listened to our president and various candidates comment on gun control after the shooting at the college in What Abby, I'm writing this to defend those of us who are truly fighting depression. - DEPRESSED IN DEAR DEPRESSED: Misinformation about mental illness is a contributor to the stigma that surrounds it. The triggers that have led to the plague of mass shootings in this country are the result of individuals with severe psychosis and the impossible task their families have faced in getting their loved ones the ongoing medical and psychiatric treatment they needed. DEAR ABBY: The man I lived with for 25 years, "Craig," and I have split. It was my decision. He now has a new woman in his life, and she is pregnant. Craig and I share a 23-year-old son. Craig calls me often. He's my best friend and I wish him the best, but I get the feeling he is unhappy with this woman and feels trapped. He calls to ask me for advice and talk about the problems he has with her. The woman has forbidden him to have contact with me so he has to sneak the calls. Should I not talk to him anymore, or leave it to him to make that decision? It seems to me he still needs me in his life as a friend. Is he emotionally cheating on this new woman? - SYMPATHETIC EX IN DEAR EX: If Craig needs counseling, he should be getting it from an unbiased professional. His lady friend obviously views you as her rival, which is why she has forbidden him to contact you. It's time to ask yourself how being in the middle of this makes you feel. If the answer is "not good," then tell Craig you don't want to cause problems in his new relationship, and sneaking around is dishonest and childish. And yes, this is a form of cheating because Craig is still emotionally dependent on you. DEAR ABBY: I am a woman who works in an office building. What's the proper etiquette when the cleaning service is cleaning the restroom? If it's a woman, I tend to go in anyway. If it's a man, I wait (most of the time). - RESTROOM ETIQUETTE DEAR R.E.: I don't think there is a rule of etiquette regarding this. When the cleaning crew (or janitor) is in the restroom, there is usually a sign posted to that effect. In many cases, if the janitor is a male in a women's restroom, he will immediately exit the room. However, if that doesn't happen, it's then up to the individual to determine if her call of nature is so urgent it must be heeded immediately. Dear Abby is written by