Why Won't He Listen?

There's a guy I know. We talk frequently. Every day, in fact. I want to help him, but I just don't know how.

He feels alone. He can be in a room with a hundred people, all of them wanting to chat with him, and still feel completely isolated.

He lies to his friends and family, frequently. Not because he's a bad person, but because he thinks that it will keep them from worrying about him. Little lies.

"No, I'm okay."

"Oh, I'm just a little tired. Didn't sleep well last night."

"Yeah, I'd be happy to go to the pub with you guys tonight."

We both know it's all bullshit. He's not okay. He hasn't slept well in years. And, no, he'd rather be locked away in a dark room tonight than anywhere involving actual social contact with people.

I tell him, every day, that he's not alone. There are people who care about him. People who care about his health, how he's feeling, if there's anything wrong. He says he knows, but he doesn't really believe it.

Why won't that asshole in the mirror listen?