Back many years ago when a good friend called me in tears saying she was going to end it all, I decided to learn a little bit about depression and mental illness. I went to the library and got several good books on the issue. I started looking at this illness in a new way. No, of course I didn't become an authority on it. (I'm also pleased to say that my friend still battles her demons but she won't let them kill her).

I did make many observations besides the ones I've already mentioned.

How many of us have seen and heard people scream, "you're sick, you need help!" Have you or did you notice that this standard put down is almost always meant in a negative way? After hearing people use this old, lame comment over and over to each other you have to wonder what the person who is saying it really means. It's certainly not helpful or supportive. Is it used to repel a person with mental illness?