Send alcohol instead, maybe?

What an odd story this one is turning out to be:

Chilean officials are taking measures to alleviate depression among the 33 miners trapped in a collapsed mine after telling them it might be months before rescuers will reach them, according to a report.

...

Manalich told AFP that the miners, who are trapped 2,300 feet underground, reacted calmly to the news. The group has been trapped since August 5.

The news service said the government was taking steps — from getting doses of anti-depressants for the men to sending down fresh clothes and games — to help keep them physically and mentally fit for the grueling wait ahead.

"We expect that after the initial euphoria of being found, we will likely see a period of depression and anguish," Manalich said. "We are preparing medication for them. It would be naive to think they can keep their spirits up like this."

What I wonder is how they broke this news to them. Imagine you're trapped in a mine for more than two weeks, and finally your rescuers manage to drill through to you. So you must think, "Great! I'll be out of here by the end of the day." And then you get a note a few hours later that says, "See you by Christmas! (hopefully)"

Of course this will be a good news story in the end -- assuming all goes well. But this thing really stretches the "you're lucky just to be alive" aphorism to the limit of credulity.