People need to be more aware of mental health issues.

There's no two ways about it, depression is a bitch. There's no logic (seemingly) to when the black cloud will descend, and a bit like having a truly awful tooth or headache, nothing shows outwardly. Plus, if like Baggy, you have spent a lifetime "putting on a brave face", others will see you as a confident, outgoing person. They will not see the inner turmoil, fear and overwhelming sadness. So it's hard when someone says to you to "snap out of it" and "just get on with it", as happened yesterday to Baggy. Instantly Hormonal Hannah went into apologetic mode, "Yes, I know, it's silly. I don't know why I don't see Wesley more, especially as I miss him so much". And in the past, Baggy has "snapped out of it", at least outwardly. She did "just get on with it". But at what cost? Well a very high one as it's turned out. One that's this time pushed her very close to having a breakdown. So now Clever Bird is making Baggy listen more to Hormonal Hannah and then chatting to her positively. She does not tell her to "snap out of it". She tries to reassure her that it's okay to feel like this, but that it will pass. She doesn't push her into doing things that (logically or not) she just can't face, because it really isn't helpful. In fact it makes it worse.

"Why can't I do it?" "Why do I feel like this". "I'm hopeless". "It's so silly". "I must be a really pathetic person". "I just can't do it". "I can't cope". "I'm worthless". "I need to snap out of it". "But I can't, so I'm useless". And around in ever-decreasing circles of self-doubt.

Instead, why not just say, "How are you? It's lovely to see you. Wesley will be pleased"?  Then one can respond positively. "Yeah I'm okay thanks. Happy to be spending some time with my Boys". In this case, the person does know that Baggy has depression so it kind of makes it even worse, but because it's invisible and most people consider it to be a taboo subject ( a fault or weakness that one should hide), you can never tell who is suffering from depression or anxiety. It's a ghastly feeling and sometimes you just want to know that someone is there for you. 
"How are you? It's lovely to see you. Wesley will be pleased". 
"Yes, I've missed him, but I've been feeling really down and couldn't face coming".
"Well it's lovely to see you today. Enjoy your time with him. If you want to chat, I'm a good listener".
"Thank you".

Then the Hormonal Hannah or Harry in you would feel reassured rather than guilty. Reassured that they had taken a positive step, not guilty that they had stopped you from doing something, in this case Grotty Groom from going to the yard for two weeks. Reassured that it was a positive thing to do, to face a fear and go and spend time with the horses. Not guilty that she hadn't been earlier, resulting in her avoiding the situation and probably not going again for days, worried that people are judging her. Clever Bird knows that this person meant no harm, in fact was trying to be friendly and helpful, but even if it didn't have a negative impact on the person suffering, it is JUST NOT POSSIBLE!

No one would tell you to "snap out of your grief" or to "snap out of your flu" or to "snap out of your migraine", because it is JUST NOT POSSIBLE. But wouldn't it be brilliant if one could, then of course one would? We all need to remember that we have no idea what's going on in someone else's head, we just need to show that we do care and are there if they need us. Clever Bird will now always make sure that the gang try to understand Hormonal Hannah's feelings (and those of any other Hannah's or Harry's out there), and be there for her when she is struggling..............