True Emo

I met up with a friend tonight I have not seen for years.

To my surprise, she told me that she has a form of mental illness (which I will not disclose here).

She then explained to me how the illness has affected her, especially to the point that she is no longer able to control emotions, and she has attempted to commit suicide a few times already. Hearing her talk about her struggles, I felt really helpless and didn't know what I could do to help her. But the only thing I could do was to sit there and listen to her.

She then told me how this illness is affecting her everyday life and her relationship with others. But she is not able to disclose this to others, and she regretted telling some people already as they were not able to understand her situation, and made fun of her.

Listening to her made me realise that we really need be understanding to our friends. Who knows how many of my friends are in such situation, and I may be upset with them when their behaviour is strange without realising that they may have a valid reason behind their actions.

I have met such people before, especially with my probono work with the homeless, but when it is your friend who has the illness, its a whole different situation.

At least she is relying on God to help her through this. I pray for her recovery and ability to cope and live with this illness.