Mental Health Treatment

I have posted a number of fun things today. In a way I have been putting off this most important topic because it is bound to ruffle some feathers as they say. I have come to the realization that it is unethical (some might even say immoral) to be silent about this kind of thing. I will be posting this in a number of different universes on this app to make sure the appropriate audiences are reached. Sorry for the post duplication, but this is important. Ok... Here it goes... I included a picture in this post because it was the catalyst of my epiphany. On my way home ayesterday, I suddenly saw one of the most vibrant rainbows that I have ever seen. For the first time since I was 12, I experienced what I can only assume was "marvel". Then it hit me... This is how mentally healthy people usually feel! I finally understood it. I understood what my wife saw in such things, and what my children see in such things. Prior to about 6 months ago, I would have experienced absolutely NO emotional reaction other than possibly contempt for the "simpletons" that could be interested in such a trivial thing. So what changed in my life? I will get to the point - The thing that changed was the introduction of qualified, professional mental health intervention. The intervention includes dynamic mental health therapy and, more importantly, professionally calibrated medication. Why post this here? After my epiphany settled I experienced a great deal of justifiable anger. Anger for myself, and for others who never received, or are currently being denied the treatment that will likely turn their lives around. For over 30 years (especially when I was a young child and a teen) I was told that the explanation for my experience was likely one of the following: "An improper relationship with Christ" "Not trusting 'God' enough" "Unconfessed sin in my life" "'Demonic' influence" "A lack of spiritual discipline" Here were the solutions that I was told would solve the problem. "Be patient and trust in 'God's' timing - He will provide an answer, even if the answer is 'no' or 'keep waiting.'" "Read the Bible more - 'The Holy Spirit' will show you the answers" "Repent of your sins and get right with 'God'" "Talk to the Pastor or a 'wise' layperson" The list goes on... Needless to say, none of those explanations were true, and none of those solutions even came close to addressing the actual problem. Let me be blunt - Chronic Major Depression cost me my wife, my children, over half of my assets, and VERY nearly cost me my actual life (several times). Now that I am healthy, I will be picking up the pieces for the rest of my life. The next few years will be full of pain and regret as I watch myself be replaced in my loved one's lives. For all of you who are aware enough to suspect that chronic depression has manifested in your own life or in the life of a loved one, seek professional, medical intervention. The longer you put it off, the more damage this serious medical condition will do. This is not just sadness, this is not just feeling down occasionally, this is not just low self-esteem. Among many other terrible things, Chronic Major Depression chemically robs an individual of executive function which makes it difficult (if not impossible) to engage in tasks, including activities that might actually help address their need for serious intervention. Now that I am mentally able to choose what I do during the day, I am going to chose to turn my anger into action. You will likely find me advocating for mental health awareness in communities that would otherwise suppress information related to professional treatment in favor of supernatural thinking, outdated practices, and pseudo-science. I have said my peace. If anyone out there is trapped in an unhelpful system and needs guidance or support, message me. IMPORTANT NOTE: If you are having thoughts of hurting yourself or anyone else in anyway call your nation's Crisis Hotline. The hotline in the U.S. is 988 If you are outside of the U.S., your nation's hotline is just a quick google search away. Sorry, I have a link to all of the international hotlines, but the link has a keyword in it that the internet doesn't like, and I don't want to this post to get flagged.