DEAR ABBY: I am 14 and have a good friend, "Jillian," whose father died from lung cancer six months ago. While her dad was sick, Jillian didn't hang out with us often because she wanted to spend as much time as possible with him while she could.
When Jillian's dad passed away, all her friends and I wanted was to be there for her, but her mom wouldn't let us. Now that Jillian's dad has been gone all this time, her mom still won't let her out of the house for anything other than school. No one ever sees her outside of school -- and during class she looks and acts depressed.
I understand Jillian's mom being protective, but she won't let her daughter answer the phone or even go to the mall with us.
Do you have any advice for me and Jillian's other friends, so we can get her mother to lighten up? It's not like her mom doesn't know us. She's met every one of us, and Jillian says she likes us all. -- FRIENDS OF JILLIAN
DEAR FRIENDS: It appears Jillian is being held captive in her own home. You and your friends should talk to the school counselor or a trusted teacher about your concerns for Jillian -- her depression and her isolation. Her mother may need psychological help to get through the loss of her husband.