My understanding is that drug prescriptions for depression are up 14%. Some mental health sources believe the need will go higher as political tensions and pandemic concerns escalate.

But the mental health budget has been cut for years; fewer resources are available. It’s depressing.

With political separation increased even more by post-election false information, the problems are becoming acute. Immediate intervention is needed.

How do we provide the needed assistance in the absence of traditional sources? I suggested to an old friend whose political persuasions differed from mine that we get together, open a bottle of wine, and have a chat.

I envisioned our sitting at a table with good food and wine agreeing to disagree about issues that divide us but resolved, nevertheless, to explore reasonable accommodations. I offered to bring the wine.

He refused the offer.

He believed it best to avoid any political discussion. My wine remains in the rack.

I suspect such refusals are common these days. Political division extraneous to friendship is causing stress never before experienced. Friendship’s durability, built on a foundation of years at hunting camps, card games, and sporting events, was not prepared for this, and is now being threatened. Their foundations were not built to withstand political winds.

If foundation repair crews can’t come in, we’ll have to do that work ourselves. Perhaps some music would help?

“I was thinking maybe later on

we could get together for a while.

It’s been such a long, long time

and I really do miss your smile.”

— Barry Manilow, 1996

Speaking of adding inducements, could it be time to get out the coloring books and crayons? We could bring our children’s and grandchildren’s coloring books and some of those old ones our mothers saved, or we could invest in new ones — coloring books are now made especially for adults.

These new coloring books have intricate patterns that present adult challenges, challenges that put folks like me who have trouble staying within the lines at a disadvantage.

But people like me need to be part of the picture as much as those who do stay within them.

When I was a kid, I had a box of Classic 8 Crayolas – primary and secondary colors. Later, the Crayola people came out with a pack of 64 crayons. I don’t recall ever owning one. However, I knew kids who did, and I got to use a few of those new fancy colors.

The Crayola people are now marketing “The Ultimate Crayon Collection” – 152 crayons of different colors that include both glitter and metallic tones.

Just think of the possibilities — all the different shades of meaning and feeling that can be laid down on one piece of paper by multiple colorers? Group therapy? I think so. A beautiful picture? I have no doubt.

Here’s my theory: There is potentially offered by multiple shades of expression from those able to stay within the lines and those who can’t. If applied on one sheet of paper with the help of good wine, a loaf of bread, smooth music, and soft cheese, it could get us through the most challenging of political discussions.

Provided — and this is crucial — we stick to verifiable facts and exclude lying, conspiracy theories, and name-calling. Not the best of intentions — line-wise, the finest wines, or their combination can survive such spoilage.

At this point, it’s just a theory, but I’m looking forward to putting it to the test.

Doug Pugh’s “Vignettes” runs weekly on Saturdays. He can be reached at pughda@gmail.com.