1. Once you've crossed the line and realize the idiot in front of you is mentally ill.....briefly assess if you should stick around or claim you have an appointment for a haircut. This assessment should take into account: (a) if they are a relative....because you kinda have to stick by them, (b) if they are dangerous, (c) if this is bad-off mentally ill, and (d) how much time you really want to devote toward the situation.
2. Always try to suggest there's help somewhere for the guy/gal.
3. Let them talk about the issue as much as they want, but reassure them that you just aren't accepting of this condition being 'normal'.
4. Let them know in a nice way....you got time to hear them, but at the 20-minute point, they need to wrap up their confession, and get ready to hear your advice.
5. Sometimes, all the mentally ill person needs is a 20-minute session of listening, and probably a a cigarette or beer.
6. Always be polite, but try to avoid statements like 'you sound crazy'.
7. If they are already under treatment by some doctor.....don't go suggesting different treatment.
Other than "Not my job" and walk away, I bust their little charades by asking:
ReplyDelete* "What is your diagnosis?"
During the first couple-three words answer, I interrupt with:
* "Sure... right... how many people fall for that."
Not a question.
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We operate a small organic teaching farm near the outskirts of Eugene, Oregon.
After an election a few years back, the ballots (zero correlation to the number of Oregon voters) legitimized most drugs in 'recreational' amounts.
So, naturally, every goofball in half the nation migrated here.
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Every week, we get a couple-three goofballs walking the street naked and screaming gibberish.
We call the local do-gooder bunch, C.A.H.O.O.T.S. (Crisis* Assistants Helping Out On The Streets).
Usually, the response includes two firetrucks, an ambulance, plus two LawEnforcementOfficials in their vehicles.
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No society can continue with that level of drain on resources.
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notes:
Ridiculing their 'Crisis' in their name, I goad the do-gooders with:
* "When are you changing 'crisis' to 'chronic'?"
Seems like the answer here (with the goofball situation)...import in five or six bears, and just let them lessen the population of the gibberish population. I'd also name the bears so that no one takes up a anti-bear attitude, and you should have a pro-bear lobby group to support the bears.
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