Member-only story
Helping a Depressed Friend with How to Purchase a Gun
What We Can Learn from an Appalling Lack of Situational Awareness
“I’m depressed,” my acquaintance posted on Facebook.
You’ve probably seen similar testimonials. Someone shares a deep secret on social media. In this case, as expected and warranted, many friends offered their support, their love.
It was one of those moments when you think social media can be a beautiful thing.
Then, a week later, the same guy posted requesting advice on how to buy a gun. His friends began offering tips on what handgun would be best for him. The same so-called friends who one week ago promised support for his deep depression were offering advice on how he might purchase a firearm.
It was one of those moments when you think social media can be an awful thing.
I didn’t know the guy well. “Friend” has become a loose label thanks to social media. To call this guy a friend would be too strong, “Acquaintance” was more accurate. Still, even though I’d only met him a few times, I felt I had to say something.
A generous conclusion would be his friends were oblivious. Maybe they didn’t remember all the bro-hugging about support against depression from the previous week. I hesitated…
