I am writing to thank Mike Langworthy for his candor and honesty when writing about his experiences with depression (“Laughter is the best medicine,” May 16). As a mental health counselor, I frequently hear of the heartache and agony brought on by this illness and the frustration experienced by others’ well-intended, but unhelpful suggestions. The brain is an organ, albeit a complicated one, capable of tremendous tasks, as well as a myriad of imperfections. A person’s experience with depression is often something they cannot just “will away.” The good news is that depression is treatable, but not if people are unwilling to talk about it in the first place. Thanks again.

Sara F. Levite
Portland