THE DAILY ASTORIAN • THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2016
FEATURES
5A
Know the signs of depression Tomorrow’s horoscope
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
Dear Annie: Tragedy has struck
our family. A cousin killed him-
self on Easter Sunday. I never
thought my cousin would do this.
He worked with troubled teens and
their families. He was outgoing and
strong, and helped others through
their own tough spots.
A few years ago, his son died by
suicide. Since that time, my cousin
struggled with depression and a
host of other things. Apparently, the
pressure and depression overcame
him that Sunday. Yet in his every-
day life, he was surrounded by peo-
ple who might have noticed the
signs of what was happening had
they known what to look for. Some-
times we get so caught up with our
own issues that we forget to pay
attention to what’s going on around
us. We need to take time to see the
needs of those we love and care for
— things that may lie beneath the
surface.
Please help your readers to rec-
ognize the signs of someone strug-
gling, and to help that person before
it’s too late. Suicide doesn’t solve
the problem — it only creates dev-
astation for those left behind. —
One Left Behind
Dear Behind: Not everyone
who chooses suicide shows signs
that others would pick up on.
Annie’s
Mailbox
Creators
Syndicate Inc.
Kathy Mitchell
and
Marcy Sugar
Chances are, your cousin never got
over the suicide of his son, a hor-
rible tragedy that undoubtedly con-
tributed to this one, no matter what
face he put on for everyone else.
Here are some signs to watch for:
Talking about wanting to die or
to kill oneself; looking for a way
to kill oneself; talking about feel-
ing hopeless or having no reason to
live; talking about feeling trapped
or in unbearable pain; talking about
being a burden to others; increas-
ing the use of alcohol or drugs;
acting anxious or agitated; behav-
ing recklessly; sleeping too little or
too much; withdrawing or feeling
isolated; showing rage or talking
about seeking revenge; displaying
extreme mood swings.
If you or someone you know is
in danger of suicide, please call the
National Suicide Prevention Life-
line at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
Trained crisis workers are avail-
able 24/7. If you think someone is
in immediate danger, do not leave
that person alone. Call 911 and stay
until help arrives.
Dear Annie: I am responding to
“Stuck in Upstate NY,” whose wife
wants her Greek parents to move in
with them. You know nothing about
Greek culture if you think your sug-
gestion to move them into a nearby
retirement community has any
chance of success.
First, the wife’s parents proba-
bly don’t speak English, and sec-
ond, the idea of having space of
their own is nonsense. I experi-
enced the same thing with my
Greek husband and his mother
many years ago. It doesn’t matter
how small the house is. His wife’s
parents will always come irst. He
needs to face up to the reality that
his marriage is probably over. —
American Daughter-in-Law
Dear DIL: It isn’t only Greek
culture that puts the parents ahead
of the spouse. But these same
cultures strongly disapprove of
divorce. Perhaps once the parents
acclimate themselves to their new
country, they will be more will-
ing to move into separate quarters
— and preserve their daughter’s
marriage.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). A loved one
has proved to be dependable. It’s healthy to
trust! On the other hand, much depends on
the extent to which you’re taking things. It’s
also very important to have a full and bal-
anced life outside of a key relationship.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Victory! Suc-
cess! Profit! These will be yours soon enough.
First, you’ll spend many hours in service, con-
tribution and humility. In retrospect, that first
part of your day will be the most memorable
and awesome.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). There’s little to
be gained from arguing. It won’t sway the ones
who believe differently, so you can save your
breath and conserve your energy. You’ll influ-
ence best through attraction, not argument.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). Without you,
an upcoming event has real “snoresville” po-
tential. Are you willing to step in to give it your
signature sizzle? They need you! Besides,
you’ll have fun turning this thing on its ear.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Success favors
you. Maybe it’s the way you flirt with it all the
time, chumming up, batting your lashes, shar-
ing secrets. Success finds your fun, lightheart-
ed energy totally irresistible.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Keep your eyes
open and your hands free so you can snap
up the juicy opportunities du jour. Today will
feature an invitation, the chance to make a
new connection and a hot tip worth moving
on immediately.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). There are quite a
few logistics to work out, and people won’t be
communicating very well on the matter. You’ll
have to be the responsible, thorough one. In
the name of clarity, ask more questions than
you normally would.
FRANK AND ERNEST
BLONDIE
THATABABY
SALLY FORTH
PHOEBE AND HER UNICORN
B.C.
LOLA
DILBERT
SIX CHIX
BIZARRO
MUTTS
NON SEQUITUR
BABY BLUES
WIZARD OF ID
ZITS
ROSE IS ROSE
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). If you wanted
to, you would find it dreadfully easy to shake
and rattle a person’s confidence. Realizing the
fragility of the human condition, you willfully
go the opposite direction, searching for ways
to build up those around you.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Love
has been compared to a battlefield, a para-
dise and a head cold — all apt descriptions,
depending on the day and the love in ques-
tion. You’ll have your own unique comparison
for love by the day’s end.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You’ve
subscribed to the adage before, but the prob-
lem with the “if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em”
approach is that winning takes a mindset that
would rather go down in flames than “join ‘em.”
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Often the
changes that seem magical and miraculous
are merely a matter of consistent, daily effort
made over a long period of time. The tricky
part is setting up a lifestyle that reminds you to
keep up the effort.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Some of the
things you’ve been saying to yourself are
less than supportive, but you can and should
make it up to yourself now. Get positive about
yourself, and give yourself tangible proof of
your loyalty.
FRIDAY’S BIRTHDAY (April 29). Sweet
friends show up to celebrate you, and social
fun will make it seem as though your birth-
day stretches into May. Career advancement
makes June exciting. You’ll take your best
teammates with you. You’ll never regret what
you did for love at the start of 2016, and your
allegiance will certainly be rewarded. Gemini
and Capricorn adore you. Your lucky numbers
are: 4, 25, 37, 15 and 49.