What should my brother do to get out of this trouble of sending a series of offensive anynomous email?

Question

My brother is suffering from some depression and frustrations and is subjected to an anti-depressant as well as a counselling treatment. His problem is that whenever someone annoys him, he sends them anynomous emails from his laptop at home to express his anger and frustration. Recently, some students in the university in which he studies who don't like him reported him to the dean of school as causing them great distress and harassment. He has a formal meeting with the dean (who has already informed the police) soon the result of which might be referring the cause to desciplinary hearing. He is frightened since then: can't eat or sleep well or practice any normal life activity coz he's terrified that he might be suspended from the university. In the formal meeting, which is the best thing to do? Should he deny writing such anynomous emails? In this case, will this be discovered? What the university might do with him if it is discovered that he was lying? Should he tell the truth explaining the stresses he went through and how he was a victim of many dirty games made by his group which hates him? Should he concentrate on his over-sensitivity and nature and how it was difficult for him to learn what people say about him or receive emails from them without replying, even anynomously? Should he tell them about his depression and frustrations hoping that they will consider this? I'm really worried about my brother who has been extremely anxious feeling that his academic future is in danger. I'll appreciate it if you read my enquiries carefully and give a detailed advice in light of the points I raised. Serious answers please.

Answer 1

Suffering from depression or any other mental disorder is not an acceptable reason to send anything offensive to others and the Dean will undoubtably see this in the same light.

Given the circumstances here, denial of the charge would just make the situation far worse. Even though he may not have signed his name, there is no such animal as an "anonymous email". They all have ISP's that can be traced.

I would suggest to definetely tell the truth ( to help damage control of the situation) and to also offer to the Dean taking anger management classes or any other appropriate measures to help control the mental mindset that is allowing these actions.

Best of luck and I hope this can be useful to him

Answer 2

He should be truthful because lying will only make the situation worse. He should be getting help for his anger problem in the meantime. He should seek therapy with a licensed therapist. If he doesn't have health insurance he can ask someone at the school to recommend something. There are also anger management support groups and many books and websites on the topic. He should explain in the hearing that he has an anger control issue.

Answer 3

Sorry but why should he get out of what he is responsible of doing?

And not even have the guts to admit it.

If he is so worried then why was he not so worried as to click on the Send email button?

Best thing he can do is to own up and seek counselling from his university so they can take appropriate measures that are for his benefit.

Answer 4

just accept it and say sorry, usually if this is just the first time, they will not do anything bad to your brother.

Answer 5

He shouldn't deny it because it's fairly easy to prove it was him.  He might as well suck it up and admit what he's been up to.