Username: Baobabel
Number: #3619
Cat Name: Solemkit (->Solemstrike)
Gender: Male
Rank: tbd
Clan: SecludedGladeAge: 5 moons
Prompt: #3619: Why are they so sad? TW-mention of depression
Solem isn't sure why he's sad most of the time. He has a loving mom and fun siblings and good times. Yet while his siblings laugh and play and seem so lighthearted he feels...heavy and..numb. He doesn't mean to be a downer and is thankful to be born into a good clan but he doesn't understand why he isn't as quick to smile as his littermates. He likes to romp around with them but is rarely in the mood. His sadness sits heavy on him most of the time.
Luckily Solem's mom is an experience queen, so she noticed her sweet striped kit's seriousness wasn't on a normal level. She asked the healer to take a look at him. Solem sat with the healer and they talked together for a long time. They asked him questions and listened to his responses. After the session was done they thanked him for being so open and honest. They took a few minutes to think things through and then called over Solem, his mom, and the clan leader.
"First off, I want you to know there is nothing wrong with Solem. He's a beautiful kit inside and out. That being said, his brain might need a little help to be closer to neutral like an average cat. I believe the twolegs call it depression. It's a bit unusual to see it in a cat so young but that doesn't mean he can't be helped" They went on to describe different treatment options, stopping to answer any questions they had. The healer didn't think it would be long term, more likely a short-term case while the kit's brain and hormone levels were still developing. Regardless they laid out a short- and long-term plan in case it decided to stick around. Everyone left the meeting feeling positive.
It's been a few weeks and Solem has already noticed a difference. His depression didn't disappear overnight, or even go away for that matter. But the load is lighter. He has good days where his mood is neutral rather than low. He gets more sparks of joy rather than never really feeling that emotion. He still has really heavy days but he now has plans in place for what to do when those days hit. His siblings have never looked down on him. They continue to include him in play but also understand when he wants to sit out. For the first time ever, Solem is beginning to feel hopeful he won't be sad all the time.