How do you feel today? 4

[Penfold]

Well, here we are: The anniversary of the start of this thread. I can't remember if I started 1, or 2 years ago, but I started it because this (Jan 17th) is supposed to be the most depressing day of the year.

So, how do y'all feel today?

[Del]

Sstrange. I spent the afternoon visiting my oldest daughter. She has had a shocking week. Today was the funeral for a friend while committed suicide despite all his friends trying so hard to support him. I think they feel they could have done more. She realises that sometimes you just can't do enough... but still... it's hard for his friends.

Her friends are an amazing group of young adults. Very proactive. It breaks my heart that despite the politicians mouthing off about youth mental health they just don't supply the resources for it to be accessed. Many years ago the policy to mental health was to 'integrate' people with mental health issues. Only very severe cases are hospitalised. So many people TRY to manage on a subsisting level of gov payment which only adds to their condition and they eventually end up on the street. They aren't layout jobless youths.. they are intelligent wonderful young adults who are struggling each and every hour to survive... this young boy was trying so hard to 'fit in' to social norms. All he needed was a break.. a hand up..somewhere to gather himself to face the next battle. T's friends did what they could but he needed specialised treatment and care.

He had been on previously been on drugs but had fought hard, by himself mind as he couldn't access a program, and had been clean for some months. Two weeks ago he was found by police on the highway trying to throw himself under trucks. He was crying and frantic. They arrested him and charged him with causing a public nuisance. They never offered him help or thought to call in a psych unit. He was treated as the public nuisance he was and was extremely worried about how he was going to pay the $100's of dollars in fines he was facing.

It's easy to say he should've got help.. but that's the point.. his mental condition made it hard to make the moves to do that. The incident on the highway should have been the catalyst for helping him.

T didn't go to the funeral. She just couldn't face it and I understand that. What a senseless loss of young life that could have been avoided.

[Penfold]

That is so sad Del. It never ceases to amaze me that, even in this day and age, mental issues are so little understood, tolerated, or handled properly.

[Dotsie]

Del, what a terrible outcome for this poor young man ((((hugs )))) to your daughter.

[Jan Van Quirm]

((((hugs to T and her friends)))) - suicide isn't about one person choosing, or being driven to the point where they desparately need to 'end it'. It ripples out and hurts everyone they know. T shouldn't feel bad about skipping the funeral - she was there when it mattered, even though it wasn't enough.

[Who's Wee Dug]

I've been a bit under the weather for a few days sore throat and a computer cough (pun) had to sleep when I could get to sitting up, but as the sun is out so I'm going out for a wander I may be some time but I well be back.

[ShadowNinjaCat]

I'm very sorry to hear about T's friend. *Hugs to her*

[Jack Remillard]

I'm so sorry to hear about your daughter's friend, Del.

[Sister Jennifer]

Marvin, your plastic pal who's fun to be with. Love it.

Very sad Del. Poor kid. I wonder why the police didn't take him to a hospital.

Take care Dug. Enjoy the sun.

It's 1145pm here. Not long finished work. A mad day in the emergency dept. Feet very, very sore. Ah well. I feel good though... cause it's the weekend!

[chris.ph]

I've been a bit under the weather for a few days sore throat and a computer cough (pun) had to sleep when I could get to sitting up, but as the sun is out so I'm going out for a wander I may be some time but I well be back.

its still -17c so make sure you start putting a jumper on on top of your t shirt wwd

[Catch-up]

Del, so sorry about T's friend.

I'm feeling kind of exhausted with the events of the past month or so, but overall feeling really pretty great. The atmosphere has been very upbeat and optimistic, when it could have easily been dismal. And we're feeling just so amazingly lucky and loved. It's when things get rough that you really realize how great family is. AND, I'm STILL not a crack addict.

[Who's Wee Dug]

I've been a bit under the weather for a few days sore throat and a computer cough (pun) had to sleep when I could get to sitting up, but as the sun is out so I'm going out for a wander I may be some time but I well be back.

its still -17c so make sure you start putting a jumper on on top of your t shirt wwd

Only managed to put a fleece on today, I was lucky because the sheep slipped while trying to get away, bloody bitting wind though time it was taken to the Dentist, made my cheeks all rosy.

[Penfold]

Hope you're feeling better soon Dug and can post more pictures soon (I imagine the hills where you live must look pretty impressive covered in the white stuff).

[Who's Wee Dug]

Penners the couple of Munro's I can see from here are the Ochils opposite are not heavy covered with snow .
@Chris guy just came into the coffee shop wearing a T-shirt with his jacket over his arm ,well it's above freezing and the sun's out quite pleasant really.

[chris.ph]

see bloody jock nutters