I am Officer Matthew Bouras with the Boston University Police Department, and I am writing the following message to the Boston University community because I believe that what I have to say is a very important part of life for each and every one of you.
As a police officer, I respond to all kinds of calls ranging from general service to medical emergencies to disturbances to crimes in progress. I am also called to respond to people who are not mentally feeling like themselves or who may want to hurt themselves. These calls may turn into a medical emergency if callers admit to wanting to hurt themselves or to attempting suicide. Oftentimes, these situations are the most difficult because you never know what type of situation you are about to walk into.
Again, I am a police officer — not a doctor or any kind of counselor. But I have seen enough to know that many of these callers suffer from stress involving loneliness, homesickness, academic failure, relationships, alcoholism, drugs or just a general sense of not feeling quite like themselves.
When I go on these calls, occasionally the person will open up to me and express his or her feelings. But there are always people who don’t want to share or talk at all. At such times, I will speak with them about the reality of life, and how we all have times when we are down for one reason or another. I commend them on their choice to reach out and call us for help, but stress that they need to seek some additional form of counseling services.
Everybody has bad days every now and then. But when it is a continuous feeling, that is the time when you should make the decision to seek help. Perhaps the most important thing to remember is to try not to keep bad or troubling emotions bottled up inside of you. For some people, it is very difficult to express their feelings. But when you do, you’ll often feel a little better about yourself. If you let all of those feelings build up inside of you, then each day will be a hectic struggle.
Who can you share your feelings with? You can talk with a parent, a sibling or a close relative. You can also share your feelings with a close friend, or you can call the Boston University Counseling Center.
We have all seen or experienced the signs of depression in some way or another. Some students will stay at home, avoid going out with friends or skips classes. Some people avoid eating or begin to rely on drinking alcohol excessively or taking drugs. It is difficult to see these symptoms happening to a friend or family member. But if we do, we must always try to help.
I know a lot of people here at Boston University and am constantly meeting new people. A common question that I usually ask is, “So, how are you doing?” Sometimes people respond with, “I’m stressing big time.” With that, I will ask then what is wrong. After listening to them, I try to offer some good positive advice.
Here are some things that I do when I have received some bad news or am having a difficult day: I might take a walk, listen to music or call up a friend to go out to a fun place. I’m into exercising, so I might want to go to the gym for a strenuous workout. But the most important thing for me is that I try to share my feelings with someone that I trust.
I realize that this message may not pertain to all of you, but even if it helps just one person, then my letter has served its purpose.
If you know someone who is having a tough time, do the right thing and point them in the right direction: The Boston University Counseling Center is located at 19 Deerfield St. on the second floor, and the phone number is 353-3540. Everything disclosed to the counselors is confidential.
Stay happy and best of luck with the rest of the year.
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