Letters to the Editor

+ Gift of friendship is priceless
Dear Editor:
While you are rushing around buying gifts for people on your list, why not think about giving the gift of friendship? The holidays are not a great time for everyone, and for people struggling with depression or other mental illnesses, it could be the loneliest and saddest time of the year. When we hear in the news about high-profile people who end their lives or continue to live in seriously compromised situations we think, “That’s a shame,” but don’t necessarily do anything about it. Compeer offers a unique opportunity to be a part of the solution.

Compeer (a French word meaning friend or companion) is an international program that has been in existence for more than 40 years that matches community volunteers in friendship with a person who is receiving mental health services. For some participants, it is literally lifesaving and for most, it is a highlight of their recovery. The program is simple and only requires four hours of shared time a month, although for some, the friendships last a lifetime.

Would you look into your heart and see if there is room for a Compeer friend? Donations to keep the program running are also welcome: it is cost-effective and may provide the extra TLC that prevents hospitalization or homelessness — well worth your consideration. Please help spread the word. Contact Compeer Sarasota at Coastal Behavioral Healthcare Inc., or check out our national website, compeer.org. Call 941-927-8900, Ext. 1126 for Sandi Kaiser for more information.

Bunny Skirboll, Longboat Key
Kathy Maybee, Compeer program coordinator