may i add - not only for the individual, but that person's family and friends, acquaintances and colleagues, business and society.
mental health issues are barely being recognized now for their impact on society, community, and culture. when i was young, the idea of seeing a mental health professional was unheard of. people were very often shuffled off to institutions and forgotten, denied, or ignored. even 20 yrs. ago, trying to get adequate care for my D1 was frustrating beyond belief. insurance paid for 10 days in-patient per year. their main job was to stabilize and release, with no help for the family in how to rectify the situation at home.
i just read an article which talked about how covid-19 is bringing mental illness into the forefront, especially anxiety and depression, which in turn is lessening the stigmas of such situations. the idea that in the 21st century we continue to be looked at and made to feel stigmatized thru no fault of our own boils my blood.
having these reports come out, while positive, is so long overdue it hurts my heart. once again, it has to be put in financial terms for people to sit up and possibly take notice. sorry if i'm down about this. i've been advocating for mental health issues to be taken seriously for decades and in 2 different countries. in mexico, where it was difficult to get anti-deps on a regular basis, it took a letter, outlining the risks involved of not getting meds to people in time, along with clinical references sent to the director of 2 clinics that served the people in the town where i lived, along with threats of litigation for liability if people suicided because their meds were cut off before the situation was rectified.
i'm so sick of the bureaucratic b.s. about mental health, i can barely stand it. money, as always, talks, and it's the only thing really listened to. i just heard someone on the news last nite say - if you're white and rich, you'll be ok. it not, too bad. once again, i'm reminded that i can only do what i can do to make my little part of the world a good, kind, and caring place in which to live.
if this is inappropriate, please feel free to delete.