If someone dies of a heart attack, it isn't their fault. Same goes for mental illness. Heart disease, diabetes, bipolar disorder, depression, hypertension, whatever. They are all illnesses and everyone reacts differently to illnesses. Some people have strokes. Some people kill themselves. It's always a sad event worthy of sympathy, not condemnation.

I think it is awesome that people are talking about suicide and mental illness in wake of Robin Williams' death; but, it sucks that once time has passed, people will go back to being silent about it. I think we are still overlooking action and until our apathy (as a society) stops, nothing will change.

Not sure how to respond to coworkers who say mean things about our patients, hateful things that are just not necessary. Sometimes I ignore it, but part of me feels I should say something or defend the patients, especially when they obviously have something wrong with them mentally. I am a Christian and I want to say that God loves those people as much as you and me, but I don't want my coworkers to think I'm a freak for saying things like that.

I'm starting to think that mental illness is something thoses afflicted with, just have to live with and make the best of. All these drugs don't seem to help, everyone goes on and on about how we need to DO SOMETHING about it. What are we to do?? My brother is on a ton of pills, sees some kind of counsellor, but not an actual therapist. He is suicidal and they just give him more sleeping pills. Robin Williams kills himself and is regarded as a hero. I'm not saying what he did was wrong or right, I don't know. I just don't think there is anyway to combat this. Nothing seems to work and it just seems to be a death sentence.

To the open heart surgery person that left her husband, you are going to be sooo okay!! I'm impressed by your strength, both physical and mental. I just hope others in bad marriages can see that they too can get out and will be okay. Sorry for the lame old phrase..but, You Go Girl!!

My grandmother signed off of dialysis four years ago. She was 79 and just didn't want to keep on going with it. It was painful and left her drained. She said she had had a good extra three years with her family but it was time to let nature take its course. Of COURSE there were family members who told her she was "comitting suicide" and would go to HELL for it. She discussed it with her church and they assured it was not suicide to sign off dialysis. She had a peaceful few weeks once she signed off (she didn't feel well but she had hospice to keep somewhat comofrtable) and she said her good byes and passed. Why are people so awful to others during their hardest times? I really have a hard time looking at those people who couldn't assure grandma iwth open hearts and minds that htey loved her and respected her decision. Now I realize purposeful suicide is somewhat different...but don't people realize that people who make such a drastic decision are suffering?? So quick to pass judgement. I don't think God is judgemental at all. That is a human imperfection.

I think today I made points with the accountant and several of the administrative assistants at my work. And then I ran into a colleague with greater seniority who was his normal unfriendly, grumpy, judgemental self with me, and so despite the brownie points with the others, I left work feeling like crap.

My sister is weird and quite possibly mentally ill. I dread the day my parents are gone and I have to deal with her without them as a buffer.

Wow, childfree people show up 'late and hungover'? I would like to know when the last time I showed up 'late and hungover' was? I have never prioritized anyone's needs above my own? How about working a 16 hour shift at a hospital and instead of rushing home, sitting by a dying man's bedside to hold his hand because his so-called children couldn't be bothered to show up? That was off the clock, you're welcome. Wow, What a judgemental and ignorant post.

Um, excuse me...CF and caring for my dying mother. So YES I have experience of putting other people above my own, you judgmental, self important bitch! Many CF people are self involved? How about the parents who let their kids run riot and behave like brats in public places and expect other people to deal with it? I know many parents who act more immature than myself...and who hold the workplace ransom taking time off all the time because little Johnny has a cold. Fuck you. A person's level of self involvement has nothing to do with whether they have squirted a kid out of their vagina. Sometimes assholes are just assholes. And you are one of them.