« Television Violence | Main | Desperate Parenting »

Painful Friends

Sam has recently befriended a new guy at his church who he suspects is probably depressed. This friend never has anything positive to say about anything, and will often reply 'terrible' when asked how he is.
 
He hates his office job and he says he hates his life.
 
He doesn't have any family in the country, and doesn't have many friends. He also doesn't like hanging out with big groups, preferring to spend time one on one with people.
 
While Sam wants to be there for him, and spend time with him to help him, he also finds his company quite draining.
 
How can Sam best help him...without becoming resentful?

DISCUSSION POINTS:

• Should Sam get his friend to seek professional help…or should he just continue being his friend?
• Should Sam challenge his friend to change…or accept him as he is?




TrackBack

TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.theopenhouse.net.au/cgi-bin/mt-tb.cgi/133

Post a comment

(If you haven't left a comment here before, you may need to be approved by the site owner before your comment will appear. Until then, it won't appear on the entry. Thanks for waiting.)