Getting needed help for 'a cutter'

DEAR AMY: I am the mom of a former eighth-grader and was contacted by our school counselor, who told me my daughter was cutting herself. It was a difficult time, but I am looking back with gratitude 10 years later that someone brought it to our attention. Cutting can be a sign of depression in teens. Our pediatrician was my first call. The local children's hospital was helpful. We were referred to a counselor and psychiatrist. This psychiatrist appointment was hard to get. Be persistent. Eventually our daughter did get the right kind of help. This may be difficult, but you can be your child's best advocate! Today I have a beautiful and well-rounded college graduate!

--Grateful Mom

DEAR MOM: Thank you for sharing. I agree that a parent who sees and accepts that a child is in trouble and then acts with persistence to get help for that child is the best advocate, parent and friend a child could possibly have.

DEAR AMY: I almost choked at your response to "Worried," who said his 68-year-old mother had stopped cooking and that the parents ate out every day. You suggested the mother might be depressed, anxious or have other age-related problems. She is only 68! Did it occur to you that maybe this mother had spent up to 50 years cooking meals and that she had finally simply had it? Going out can be a great way for older people to socialize.

--Disappointed

DEAR DISAPPOINTED: I have received a huge response to this letter, and every last one agreed with you.

"Worried" found this trend alarming and also said that the parents ate out once or twice each day, often at fast-food restaurants. I shared Worried's concern, mainly because of the fast food part of the equation.

But now readers have asked me to self-administer lashes with a wet noodle. Consider me pelted with soggy McNuggets.