I am outraged that the facilitators of the outpatient group allowed teasing to occur. They shouldn't be harboring an environment that lends itself to that, let alone allow it to occur.

But that is neither here nor there.

The only (practical) thought that I had in reading this was concerning the friend in the hospital becoming distant. Sounds like she is isolating herself, and if that is the case it may do good for your friend to keep visiting her and keep her from isolating herself totally. Of course that can be a stressful thing to do, so he has to be sure he is up for it, and remember that while he can help her, he is not responsible for her. He is responsible for himself and his own well being.

It is a great thing that he has you to rely on and to talk to. In the past, I have operated best in stressful situations where I have had sort of a "bucket brigade" of support... being with someone for whom I had to remain strong and supportive, but being able to come off that daily to someone else where I could vent or unwind or whatever. And of course you always have us here SS.

{{{{{{SS8282}}}}}}