Back...in the swing

[Gemini]

So I'm an EMT, a first responder, and I can't count how many times I've heard people say, "I knew there was something wrong, but I didn't want to say anything." "I felt it wasn't my place to say anything."

Suicides. ODs. Sudden, unexplained violent outbursts. And I hear,"I knew there was something going on, but I didn't want to intrude."

You're so right, ask, "Are you OK?" Like you said, keep asking. Sometimes you need to push it a bit - "I know there's something wrong, and I'm not going away until you talk to me."

I have a big, noisy, intrusive family, and I realize how valuable that is. If I start to unravel, there are going to be people asking. Even if it's my brother with his, "WTF dude? Spill."

I have no personal experience with depression, only what I've seen in others around me, but based on that I'm really glad that it sounds like you've tunneled through and emerged.