Difficulties in Distinguishing Social and Professional Roles and Responsibilities in Obtaining Mental Health Care for Colleagues

The author tells a story about how she tried to help her suicidal colleague, Robin. It is often difficult to help a colleague who is experiencing emotional difficulty because their credibility often puts them in a position that is difficult to challenge. Having a friend or relative involuntarily hospitalized is very difficult: anger on both sides is understandable & may serve as a facilitator of action or to provide focus, rejection may result & the friendship may never return to normal.