The things we learn about others in a day is absolutely astounding sometimes. I work in the field of social work as a case manager. I was out seeing a Client who had just moved into the area because her daughter convinced her it was in her best interest. Naturally, the daughter has yet to visit the Client in her new home or help her settle in. The Client has been psychologically unstable for quite some time now and change does not exactly sit well with her. As I was talking with the Client, she began expressing to me her unhappiness with the new area, her life, her family, etc. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary until she told me that a few days ago she considered taking all of her medications to overdose and kill herself. She went into detail of her plans and how there was nothing left worth living for on this earth. The conversation went on for about an hour of how sad and depressed she is. I should probably add that only a short week prior she graduated from a program concerning depressed individuals; she was ready to be on her own. I asked all of the questions a social worker must ask and felt uneasy as I left her home this morning. I then went to a fellow case worker who had previously worked with this client to seek advice. The recommendation given was to simply "forget" that anything was said and continue on with other Clients. Now, as a social worker, isn't it our JOB to help individuals in need? And this is the advice that was given? I cannot speak for others, but it is definitely scary to think that is the help that we can expect to receive. Of course I made referrals to the necessary programs and put an emergency order to have her previous therapist visit her. Now who knows, maybe this client was just floating ideas sarcastically through space but meant nothing by it. To me, the suggestion sounded pretty serious. It was not a joke with a laugh. It was a saddened heart with what she saw as no other options or way out. I can only hope that I helped save a lost souls life. Maybe it's just that, being hopeful. But what is left if there is no hope? Has society really come to people who are too lazy to give a helping hand to those in need? Do we really care for ourselves and only ourselves? I think we need to take a step back and look at what we would want for ourselves, or for our family members. This Client was someone's child, someone's sister, even someone's mother.