Thousands of suicides show the system’s broken

TChong says:

06:46am | 27/01/11

AtM - Roxons under “the tight control of nursing unions” Really ? other than the nurse practioner and the involvement of Medicare rebates, the nursing profession - its awrds and conditions are state based.
Repeat, for your benefit- awards and conditions are state based, not federally
The varios “nurses unions having Roxon under “tight control"is therefore a waste of time , and not true,  but it is another example of your tireless union bashing.
BTW AtM - still cant accept the Labor govt “you didnt vote for”?
Guess what ? Even fewer voted for Abbott.

KH says:

06:55am | 27/01/11

Oh, but Howard did so much in 10 years, didn’t he?  I’m sick of all this Gillard bashing for the sake of it.  The current government is hamstrung by the so-called independents.  The immediate previous government had some other issues to deal with (remember the GFC?).  Howard had 10 years of relative stability - no serious financial crises and a majority so he could have done pretty much anything - instead he spent most of the time sucking up to George Bush and big noting himself at every opportunity, and yesterday, his treasurer received an award for bringing surplusses.  What exactly did they do for all that time, apart from funding wars in other countries, for someone else?  Where is all the infrastructure that should have been built or improved in that time?  Where are the shortened waiting lists?  The health services that are needed? Oh, but we had surplusses.  Its one of the things that prevented me from voting against Gillard, as much as I’m not a fan - the memory that during a long period of stability, “our” government did pretty much nothing for the people of this country.  Who cares if you have money under the mattress when people who desperately need medical care can’t get it? 

These things don’t happen overnight.  The system didn’t break down in the last 3 years.

Vaunted says:

08:12am | 27/01/11

Chong, have you no shame? Half of Australia voted for Abbott, and barely 30% voted for Gillard. She and Roxon are in place only at the behest of two unscrupulous independents who betrayed their own constituencies for personal gain. Barely an endorsement, much less a landslide.

TChong says:

09:03am | 27/01/11

Well Vaunted , the electorate doesnt agree. If Mr 31% is so popular , how do explain him sitting on the Opposition benches . Again.

Michael says:

09:20am | 27/01/11

You know the funny thing TChong? You blow the very little credibility your assertion (there’s not enough substance to call it an argument) re: nurse unions and state-based awards not having any bearing on a federal politician by coming out with your vote “analysis”. I can only assume in union/labor world, up is down and left is right - and when labor gets less primary votes than Liberal, obviously labor got more votes!? That would explain why gillard had to rely on paying off a few crackpot crazy independents to form government…

Meanwhile, back here in reality, roxon is utterly ineffective, labor are useless and wasteful, with no policies, no idea, no care factor and no money left (can you say “flood levy”).

TChong, as thin on fact and logic as you are, I’m not surprised labor impress you - no confusing facts or details to confound your simple little mind or disturb your world-view!

Aitch B says:

09:21am | 27/01/11

@KH

And I’m tired of the Howard/Costello bashing too. You say:

1. “No serious financial crises…”. Well, the Aisian meltdown wasn’t exactly a trifle.

2. “Where is all the infrastructure they should have built or improved….”. Oddly enough the federal government gave the states billions every year for infrastructure, so perhaps you’d better ask them.

3. Where are the shortened waiting lists?” Um…health was and still is a state responsibility and again the federal government gave the states billions every year specifically for health, so again you’d better ask them. Also, in the 3 years since 2007 the waiting lists have lengthened so you’ve shot yourself in the foot right there.

Sure the system hasn’t broken down in the last 3 years… it’s just broken down more. Absolutely nothing the Rudd and Gillard governments have done has improved any of the things you bring up.

And think how handy the 20 odd billion ‘under the mattress’ would be right now!

TChong says:

09:42am | 27/01/11

Micheal- are you saying that nurses awards arent state based, and controlled federally? I cant work out what you are saying.
Why hasnt Roxon supported the nsw nurses campaign of staff to patient ratio , if she is so beholden?
“up is down, left is right” “meanwhile back in reality..,“yarda yarda yarda..,
Anything specific, or just the old Liberal hack attempt of a word salad because you have no valid argument?  Thought so.

Barry says:

10:30am | 27/01/11

TChong, “the nsw nurses campaign of staff to patient ratio ” as you described is a sick joke. The nurses union funded Iemma’s unexpected victory on the back of $50 million of their members funds. The Director-General NSW Health is a nurses union stooge put in there by a grateful Iemma.

Nurses have usurped nearly all the top administrative positions in NSW Health and built up huge wasteful, corrupt empires of “clip-board nurses” while nurses in the wards have remained understaffed and burnt out.

NSW Health does not even know which of its staff genuinely treat patients. They don’t want to know either. If anyone found out the true extent of this feather bedding and self seeking rorts, there would be a royal commission.

The solution is simpler than it looks. Get “clip-board nurses” off their lazy, fat behinds and into the wards.

JulesG says:

10:40am | 27/01/11

ATM: The standard of debate and discussion on these threads are becoming very mediocre to say the least. They have degenerated into a labour/ Gillard bash fest with the subject matter of the discussion lost in the malaise of this constant right wing loonacy and hypocracy. Howard was a disaster for this country in his cuts to social programs, lack of training and infrastructure across the board and in that respect, remains the most short sighted leader we’ve had in 200 years!

KH: Well said and amen to that!

Vaunted: The fact is that the ALP has more seats, end of story. The libs and nationals are a coalition against one discreet party; 2 onto 1 if you like. As a single party the ALP polled the most votes.

Lyn says:

10:40am | 27/01/11

You expect quite a lot from a prime minister who has been in office for such a short period of time.  As I recall, the health care system as a whole lapsed into a state of almost disrepair under the Howard government.  I’ve seen improvements under the ALP.  I have a son with a mental health disorder so I am speaking from experience.  Give the woman a chance at least

TChong says:

11:29am | 27/01/11

Agree Barry - too many bosses getting around with clipboards looking to find faults with the “coal face”- ward nurses.
Far too many.
I dont know if that is attributable to Roxon , or even state Labor- more the demands by the public ( justifiably so ) that patients recieve optimal care.
How do you do so , when trying to measure something as nebulous as good “outcomes” for the patient, as opposed to manufacturing X number of widgets ?
You have senior staff walking around with clipboards checking up on everything.
Do you know of a better way.?

Toparity says:

12:24pm | 27/01/11

@TChong - Thanks for the relevant input. The reaction you’ve received here seems to reflect partisanship but also a massive lack of understanding many have of the health care disaster. As a MH professional who saw the ‘deinstitutionalisation’ of the 1990’s replaced with little more than a few community centres, I am aware that it is about time front-line nurses were seen AND heard. They truly know how sick the system is.

Ben C says:

12:35pm | 27/01/11

@ Lyn

Which woman are we giving a chance, Gillard or Roxon? If it’s Gillard, OK, she’s had less than a year in charge of the country. Roxon - she’s had three years in charge of health, and I’m yet to see any policy announced by her. Well out of her depth in the health portfolio.

@ KH

Not here to defend Howard’s record, even though I supported him, he had his good and bad policies in equal measure, but like Aitch B said - no major financial crises? If you’re comparing 1997 to the Great Depression or the GFC, maybe not, but it was no small matter as you dismiss it to be.

Also, as much as I hate Bush, sucking up to him was ever-so-slightly more productive than sucking up to Oprah, as our current PM did.

@ Jules G

The Coalition are officially recognised by the electorate as one. The Liberals don’t put candidates in seats that the Nationals are contesting, and vice versa. Therefore, they are effectively working as a unit. The ALP has candidates in pretty much every seat in Parliament. In the 2010 election, the Coalition won 73 seats, while the ALP won 72. Which means the Coalition in fact won more seats than the ALP.

Your argument would hold more weight if the Coalition were not an official Coalition, and both the Liberals and Nationals had candidates contesting every seat.

End of the day, Roxon is incompetent as a Minister of any sort, Gillard should find someone who has political clout and some sort of idea of what their portfolio entails. Otherwise, expect a failure of health overall.

Barry says:

12:53pm | 27/01/11

@TChong, agree measurable outcomes are pretty hard.

However, the thrust of the nurses union nurse to patient ratio is that we need more nurses treating patients. Underlying this is an assumption that more nurses in the wards would deliver better outcomes, measurable or not. I reckon it is a fair assumption.

The key is the deals occuring between clinicians and politicians whereby every whacko academic or clinician on health management gets indulged through funds which would otherwise go to wards. This is great if you are in the inner circle. You are rewarded with a battalion of “clipboards”. Unfortunately, it is bad for the patients. Such is the cost of nepotism.

I thought my last statement indicated a better way? However, if you want a little more, the whole incestuous arrangement is like the “Gaudian Knot” and needs a sword to untie it.

Concerned health Proff says:

11:57am | 28/01/11

As a frustrated health professional who really cares about and recognises the great problem out in society where people can not get help from a almost non existant mental health systen, I agree with you “agains’t the man” I am disgusted with the complete lack of interest by Labour/Union pollies who not only do not understand, but do not care.
They appear to be more interested in themselves, furthering their ideology, and feathering the nest of their union mates.God help the poor people needing urgent help and who are suffering needlessly.
There has to be an answer out there.

BK says:

01:02pm | 27/01/11

The farmers face this pressure to stoically battle on. Some of them need another sort of courage; the courage to accept that some farms are no longer viable. Change takes more courage than battling on.

James1 says:

02:04pm | 27/01/11

Indeed BK.  I wonder if Gregg would feel sympathy for a public servant who found themselves out of work, and facing the pain of changing careers.

Michael says:

09:06am | 27/01/11

Could not agree more, Flexo. If not for the Howard govt., we would have been drowning in debt. Howard payed off our debts and stbilised this country. He put us in a position to start dealing with some of our long standing issues… labor on the other hand have squandered all of our savings, wasted our massive income from our mines and here we all are 4 years later, back in debt and with nothing to show for it. We even need a special tax to help pay for flood damage! Sure, we can find unlimited billions for talk fests, million $ carports in our school yards, insulation debacles, green loan stuff ups and a freaking big waste of money so we can have pay tv over IP (NBN). But hell no, we cannot have hospital care - that takes more than a pen-stroke and a grand announcement. You need real understanding and care for that!!

In a few years, the libs will be back and will have to play the bad guys again by paying for years of squandered opportunity and wealth by labor. Meanwhile, the people of Australia suffer - unless you’re a labor mate picking up fat contracts for SFA!

Cloud Strife says:

09:19am | 27/01/11

Flexo, name one thing the Howard Government did for mental health?

Jim says:

09:29am | 27/01/11

Lots of things Cloud Strife, if you’d care to research it. Here’s a snippet straight from the horses mouth dated from when KRudd was is, and it’s only gone downhill further under Joolya;

http://www.stonefitness.com.au/index.php?index_php?view=article&id=168&tmpl=component&print=1&task=printblog&option=com_myblog&Itemid=90

If anything, the almost exponential increases to the cost of living under Gillard and the inevitable loss of homes back to the banks is going to push more people over the edge into suicide.

Flexo says:

09:40am | 27/01/11

@ Cloud strife

1) Howard Government’s Better Access to Mental Health Care scheme, which Rudd/Gillard try to dump but didn’t did to a massive wave of public protest.

2) The leadership model for mental health previously advanced by John Howard and Morris Iemma (through their 2006-2011 COAG deal). Currently this is what mental health advocates are trying to get the myopic Gillard to adopt.

TChong says:

10:07am | 27/01/11

jenna-
You were actually told to take your sister home and “let her kill herself”?
(not just some stupid, insensitive remark, by someone having a bad day, but as the official discharge directive from the public hospital) ?
You sure thats what you were told ? Exact words ? or just a bit of hyperbole from you?
Sounds like complete BS, that any hospital or treating team would ever ( officially) say such a thing. Did you complain to the HCCC ?
As a would- be health psychology student ( ‘will be in a few years”), you might have to do a bit more reading, and you might just realise that in some cases drugs are needed, ( specially during acute psychotic episodes)  and the psychologist intervention of talking isnt always suitable.
In order to prevent self harm, do you believe more people should be hospitalised, against their will ( Scheduling) ?
That would drop many adverse results for many patients, but the number of dedicated beds would have to be greatly expanded, in order to detain all possible self harm presentations.
Whats your view?

Your name:Ryder says:

10:39am | 27/01/11

@TChong
Here is a riddle for you.

Who is more arrogant and conceited than a practicing psychology professional?

A would be health psychology student.

You are basing your medical opinion on the clinical treatment of people suffering acute psychological problems on your as yet unfulfilled desire to be a psychologist?

My dreams were far simpler.
I always wanted to be a banker…

fairsfair says:

10:53am | 27/01/11

TChong, I am sure it was more along the lines of “there is nothing more that we can do” or “perhaps you should take [her] home where [she] is more comfortable”. As Jenna indicates, the subtext of that is - the drugs aren’t helping so carry on the way you were.

It is not just mental health that is supremely lacking. We need to look at the entire system. My brother has occular albanism and when he was diagnosed the opthamologist told my mother “take your son home and prepare your home for a blind child” (exact words). They took him to Sydney at great expense and he can still see. My father had a stroke and when he was bed ridden they said “we will discharge you as there is nothing more we can do for you”. The subtext of that was for my mother again to take a loved one home and prepare her home for whatever will happen. Great expense later and several visits to Victoria my father can walk and has basic function and quality of life.

Don’t insult someone with first hand experience by questioning their story in trying to protect your precious little bubble of belief. Could you be any more insensitive if you tried?

TChong says:

11:16am | 27/01/11

Ryder, ? If I’m saying something wrong, or you disagree with, say plainly what it is.
No, I’m not studying to be a psychologist but Jenna states she is.
i have twenty plus years in the area of “mental health”, and you?
Thought as much.
So, Ryder. please tell what the real story is, and what ideas you have.
Want to be a banker, ?( Did you spell that correctly ?)  Good for you.

TChong says:

11:39am | 27/01/11

fairsfair - why not try at being fair?
Jenna clearely states that a public hospital was so heartless and uncaring that such a terrible thing could be said about her sister.
The remark is definitely a slur against public health.
I question the validity of such a damaging statement being said about the Health system.
Again , I will claim that no such dismissive statemant would ever be given by the hospital.
Jenna, take your claim to the HCCC- any such statement , if proven , is completely unacceptable. Act on it for the sake of all people with Mental Health problems.

fairsfair says:

01:21pm | 27/01/11

Well I am claiming that such dismissive statements are made. I have seen them first hand. Incompetence brought about by funding, fatigue, staff shortages, whatever - happens. My great aunt was hospitalised with sciatica pain. The next morning we received a call to say her dementia had progressed to the extent where we had to go and say goodbye. Prior to her admission the day before she was regailing war stories and living in her own home on her own at age 85. She had been overdosed on some sort of medication and was no longer coherent. She never recovered. One doctor took my mother aside and told her to persue it. All of a sudded there is a five week wait for a post mortem. Who wants to put their family through that? It was not pursued but we have always felt something untoward went on there. You cant sit back and honestly believe that bad stuff does not happen in our system. I am in no way denying the good stuff and the fantastic people who give their everything for the wellbeing of others. Again, how dare you imply that Jenna is lying. You may not have seen it and you may very well be a fantastic member of the profession - but you have to acknowledge that there are idiots that walk among you that do and say inappropriate things be it intentional or what.

Barry says:

01:23pm | 27/01/11

@TChong, fully agree.

I have a problem with people having vexatious, defamatory free kicks at health staff. I have a lot of trouble believing that health staff at any point would have said such a thing. If expressing such a point of view is insensitive, fairsfair, then count me in.

@Ryder, a “banker” eh? Well, at least you got close.

doctor's wife says:

08:22pm | 27/01/11

Sorry to hear that Jenna. The mental health system is hugely inadequate in Australia. My husband (a country GP) was sworn at (don’t you f*** ever dare f**( phone me after f*** hours) by the local psychiatrist for daring to phone him after hours in an attempt to prevent a suicide because the mental health team knocks off at 5 and turns the answering machine on.
The patient ‘not thanks to the psychiatrist’ lived.

In another case my cousin was told to keep upping his dose when he repeatedly tried to book himself in during an episode, the hospital wouldn’t admit him and he took his own life the next day.

I’ve taken one of my own family members on the merry go round of psychologist/psychiatrists/mental health team etc and it has been a big fat waste of time and money with a person spinning out of control with no help or assistance whatsoever.

Australian mental health care is H U G E L Y inadequate.

A little info from a radio series on depression and mental health issues http://www.pressonaustralia.com/

Karalee says:

10:34am | 27/01/11

Longitudinal studies have shown there is a good success rate for the treatment of mental ill health, if treated early via early intervention.

Currently, our early intervention services - namely headspace (headspace.org.au) - only cover a very small percentage of our population. I categorically believe if you were to put a million more people into mental health jobs, we would see systematic change in prevalence and economic impact.

I’m saddened you believe there is no hope, Grumpy. There is always hope.

TChong says:

10:51am | 27/01/11

Grumpy - You are right ( partially) . Often the underlying cause of the mental illness may not , or cant be eliminated, but its how the patient reacts to the challenges is what matters.
Some times cognitive therapies will work, sometmes pharmaceutical interventions - particularly during acute psychotic presentations, when the pt may hurt themselves or others.
Not all anti psychotic medications leave all pts in a drug induced torpor -the reactions , like the causes, are often as unique as the pt.
Not all plans will work, but nor is “mental illness”  a label that should automatically see the sufferer as beyond “cure”.

Grumpy says:

11:31am | 27/01/11

Rubbish,...My point is, that once the patient has left a treatment with a psychologist or whoever, and on medication and they are feeling better which would be recorded as a successful treatment. 6 months - 12months later, they’re at square one again and will probably not go back because it doesn’t help in the long term. I can find you stats that say that the majority of people entered into treatment became worse, and i know from people i have spoken with and personal experience, that an hour a week and sometimes not even that regularly in most cases, with a psychologist did nothing except make the psych another $150. there is no way 1 or even 5 million more people in the mental health would solve anything, they would just further agitate the problems people have because they will be forced into another system that will never be designed in a way that will help actually help anyone. Its a 4 step system, GP, meds, Counselling, hospitalise.
People will always kill themselves, because as sad as it is for some to believe (i find it hard to understand why myself) but life will never be a 6 figure income, marriage and children and a nice place in the burbs. It will always be molestation, post trauma, unforgiving, being weird to others, having to “cope” with yourself, police harrassment, lower intelligence and living in a poor social demographic. Once you can counter all these problems, put people into a box and design a one size fits all treatment, then maybe just maybe there will be a solution. i dont know about you but I cant pay my bills with hope.

Grumpy says:

11:40am | 27/01/11

People with these problems need discretion. not everyone yelling from the roof tops that they not like everyone else and there is something wrong with them.

Renee says:

01:05pm | 27/01/11

Hey Grumpy. I can completely agree with you. I myself went through the mental health system and found it just a complete let down. I said in my post that it only made me externalise my inner anger and really didn’t resolve the problems and life I’ve had for my entire 27 years on this planet.

One hour per week gets you nowhere. It’s no wonder people are drugged up on medication because talking about things sometimes does nothing for the pain. Once the hour is up - “Yeah hold that thought. Time to go. Remember to pay at the door”

An hour a week and $150.00 doesn’t go very far when you’re dealing with a lifetime of pain.

Maria says:

08:47pm | 27/01/11

I know people with a history of mental health problems who experience ongoing poverty, housing problems, violence etc - despite treatment, or even partly because of it. I also know people with mental illness and/or a history of psych treatment who have well-paying jobs, a partner, children and a nice place in the burbs. I fall somewhere in between. You just can’t generalise.

Anna says:

01:53pm | 27/01/11

Renee - so you needed to fill out a “huge” form to receive a Medicare subsidy for the cost of your counselling? Interesting. I filled the same form in in conjunction with my GP last week for my daughter to receive pyschological counselling. It was three pages and took less than 15 minutes. I don’t consider that a “huge” imposition to receive a fairly generous government rebate for the cost of her care.

frominsidethesystem says:

01:38pm | 27/01/11

How interesting - more people banging on about which Government is responsible and yelling at each other and so few posts actually focussed on what is the sadness of the lives of those lost to suicide and the families that remain to try to work out what happened.

It’s a hard system to navigate for someone who is not suffering - have a go at trying to work out who can provide the services that might help - those that could hurt and then how on earth to try to work through getting the services coordinated and dealing with the depression, suicidal feelings, episodes of whatever.

It’s not that there are so many useless people within the system - just that not everyone has the means of connecting with all people with mental health issues -  educated and qualified doesn’t mean that they can necessarily do the job needed.  Much of the energy and effort and the capacity to change comes from the individual who is already battling, is well aware of the stigma of mental health in our community.  We are either treated like freaks or as if we have been lobotomised - or like animals. 

I am not sure the answer is found in the Government funding, or is within the capacity of the very insular profession to develop a better system.  We talk about early intervention but the best intervention might be to look at the issues of child abuse, sexual abuse, violence at home, school and workplaces, bullying and harassment which continues in all areas of life, - heck we could even look at the way that some people talk to other here and wonder how we reduce ourselves to such a low point that we rage at strangers and get engaged in anti social behaviour rather than doing something positive.

It’s horrible to exist feeling the only way out of pain is to end our own life.  Certainly it is the worst position to be in and try to get some kind of support or means of learning to cope differently. 

In the end, there are some days where just eye contact or a smile from a stranger can make a day seem almost worthwhile.  It’s a rare day that someone reaches out and listens without judging or deciding they know how to fix you before they know why we might be feeling as we do.

Could any of this be caused by the isolation of people who live in great big communities and don’t know anyone they could talk to?

There are days when I feel strong enough to say to those here who are having so much fun raging at each other about the politics of mental health rather than being particularly interested in the mental health of the community, that I wish you would find another cause that you think you have the answers to. 

It’s hard enough to be heard as a mental health client in the system but it is worse here for all of the shouting and raging about those things which don’t actually make a difference to how those at the end of their tether feel.

Some of the best hearts I have ever met are within the bodies of some of the most distressed and troubled people - at least they understand and don’t preach down about the stuff that doesn’t really matter.  There is no Government that can claim an excellent record on mental health in Australia - please stop being precious about your party politics in spaces like these.

To Jenna, I am sorry but I can imagine that such a thing was said to you about your sister.  The sad truth is that no one can stop someone else who is determined to take their own life.  Actually, as horrible as it sounds it was probably the only thing left to say - it’s not about the system giving up on any of us - it’s about us giving up on ourselves and once in that space it can be a point of no return for many.  The same thing said to me clarified that it was down to my own choice - I either decided to have another go and live or give up.  No one can fix us because we aren’t really broken and no one can save us.  Support us - yes, listen to us - yes, but our want to have a different life takes enormous courage to change and a long time.  Sometimes what we need most is a fellow traveller, a guide, and continuity of support - these are the people who seem the hardest to find.  And, even then we still need a damned good reason to stay around.

This doesn’t mean that there are not ways for people with mental health illnesses or who are troubled to find support to feel better and lead a productive and stable life.  It’s just not a guarantee or a lifetime warranty.

OchreBunyip says:

08:19am | 28/01/11

When a loved one hears voices of people that are not there, telling them to kill themselves then you have a choice; you can help your loved one or, as you suggest, abandon them. Mental illness is hard to understand for the mentally healthy, there is no obvious wound such as say a broken leg or a bleeding laceration. For some people if you cannot see it then it isn’t real. Not all would-be suicides seek death because of guilt over their behaviour; those who kill themselves because they have been caught committing crimes they know to be wrong are not the same as the mentally ill.

baal says:

02:24pm | 29/01/11

i am disturbed by your comments. I tried to kill myself when I was 16 due to guilt over being abused as a child. I was a damaged victim who needed help and eventually got it and I am now a medium happy adult.
You are heartless or confused if you think we should let children kill themselves.

Mik says:

06:36pm | 27/01/11

Doesn’t mean that women are less affected as they attempt at greater rates but tend to use different methods eg drugs which have a higher chance of rescue.
There is a great helpline for men “Mensline” http://www.menslineaus.org.au 1300 78 99 78 Available 24/7

Also a good service for those feeling suicidal or those trying to get help for someone suicidal Suicide Call Back Service http://www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au 1300 659 467

frominsidethesystem says:

12:22am | 28/01/11

Hey Thommo - I don’t mind hearing from you - and I agree that there are lots of people who are like you - many people are highly functioning drug addicts.  I don’t know why there is such resistance about regulating drugs - for one it would get rid of those who make money out of the black marketing of drugs and it would free up lots of policing also.  Stay safe

Mik says:

06:43pm | 27/01/11

Government Inquiry into Suicide in Australia http://www.aph.gov.au/Senate/committee/clac_ctte/suicide/

For a 24/7 helpline “Suicide Callback Service”  1300 659 467 http://www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au

The Badger says:

07:03pm | 27/01/11

Take your meds mark, you know you have to keep an even keel.

MarK says:

08:44pm | 27/01/11

Thanks Badger. It is always a pleasure to take personal insults from you concerning my mental condition.

It adds so much to the discussion.

Of course as a person that requires medication and lots of it to function on a day to day basis to stop doing things like , oh I don’t know attempting suicide again, self harm and little things like that it is refreshing to see you are so concerned you pop a note with the best intentions at heart.

Well done.

The Badger says:

11:30am | 28/01/11

just saying mark

you display the symptoms of someone who “thinks” he is alright and goes off his meds and then needs someone to step up and say get back on the meds.

Look at your excessive and ridiculous posts throughout The Punch.  Do you really have to say the same thing a dozen slightly different ways through an article?

You are angry, your writing is erratic and often borders on bizarre as if you are arguing with devilish voices in your own head. Way over the top.

Calm down, take the meds and don’t let yourself be subjected to the extreme highs and lows you experience when you are off the meds.

I see the change in you from week to week. Smarten up and stay on the meds.