Good soldier friend in Iraq, DEPRESSED I think? Possible to cheer him up?

Question

My good friend was sent to Iraq about a month ago. For the past 3 weeks he has been very moody, "not in the mood to talk", and listening to depressing songs about suffering and such. Is he depressed?

How do I cheer him up? Is it even possible? Should I leave him alone when he says he is not in the mood to talk? Or should I gently ask him about his day and such? During regular conversation via messaging, what do you think he'd like to hear to cheer him up?

Answer 1

Put together a care package for him. Include things that will remind him of inside jokes, a cozy pillow, some books, and definitely dirty magazines :) I know it's crazy but that's what they like lol.

Being deployed is a really hard thing... for everyone. He just needs time to adjust and get into the groove of things. Don't be pushy about it. Just understand that he is in horrible living conditions and hates being so far from family. Tell him that you are proud of him for defending our country.

Answer 2

There is not much you can do other than to be there for support.  This is the price many pay in combat.  War is not good, but then there are some that do not think before starting wars.  Any IDIOT can start a war, it takes intelligence to avoid one. Be thankful that the village IDIOT that started this one will be gone in 162 days.

Answer 3

tell him to get over it...

Answer 4

Depression is a illness that is mental imbalance..Depression is NOT someone who deploys and is sad or homesick..

Just because someone is sad or listening to sad music does not mean he has depression..He is just sad and misses home..

Just keep your drama to yourself and dont think that you can change him..Its him who needs to snap out of it and you forcing the issue can make it worse..Just talk to him and dont ask him things such as,"why are you so sad"..Be positive

Answer 5

That sucks. It's hard over there. Just give him your support and well wishes. I know it was hard on me, but it was really hard on my wife. She would call me and be so excited to hear from me, but I was just tired and having a rough day and didnt sound as excited as she was. I knew it hurt her, and I tried to fix that on my end. He might not sound excited, but dont take it personally. He's still getting used to where he is and what he's doing. It would be weird if he wasnt affected by where he is now. Dont worry.

Good days downrange: Days you get letters! There is nothing better than sitting down to a 6 page letter from someone you care about and reading it. That brief moment was a great break for me. Only beaten by days you get CARE PACKAGES!!! My wife, mom, and mother in law took turns sending me parckages - at least one per month. It was a GREAT surprise when they arrived.

Make your friend a care package. Include everything you know he likes.

And:

pudding with spoons

eye drops

tylenol

wet ones

cookies!

candy that wont melt

Get his friends to write him letters too. Guys arent great about writing anything. My wife went to my friends' houses and offices and made them write something and then included their letters in the care packages. Those were pretty funny too.

Answer 6

send him naked pictures and liquor hidden in juice bottles along w/ some baked goods

Answer 7

Send him a care package. Ask him what he wants in it. Get a local kindergarten or first grade class to write to him and draw him pictures.

Sounds text book. They all get like that I think. He will spend the next year hating everything.

Make sure he registers to vote!  

Answer 8

I think it's great that you have communication with him.y son spent three years (6 combat tours) there and the first two years we had no comm link with him (11B) FOB's and more. Some people can handle that situation and some can't, it was the same in Nam in 68 when i was there. I wouldn't press him about his day. During the conversation just remind him that he has all the support he needs and give him a synopsis of your day or events! things will change for him, he;s only been there a month!

Answer 9

His wife is having a affair wid a muslim, and shes going to dump him.