He had access to the best help there is available.

What about those without those sorts of resources? Just calling a hotline isn't a solution. Sometimes there is no solution.

Today is a very depressing day.

Because "it didn't work" for him, therefore no one should try anything?

Are you kidding me?

You might want to try keeping shtum. It'd show a little more class.

My point was that just seeking help does not mean a solution will be forthcoming. Not that people shouldn't seek help, just that it doesn't always work out.

I have quite personal experience with suicide so I know of what I speak. Those who think that "if only s/he had asked for/gotten help..." is all there is to it are naive.

Sometimes hopelessness is REAL. Sorry to be the one to have to say it at a time like this.

I mean really. You don't.

Speaking the truth seems to be a problem.

There are real people out there who can be helped by this. This thread doesn't need what you're bringing.

Sometimes, they don't prevent death by pneumonia either. Would anyone think of not getting treated for pneumonia?

I really wonder what went wrong. Many families are completely blindsided by suicide, having no idea their loved one was even depressed. But his family knew. I'm assuming he was getting treatment and medication to eliminate suicidal feelings. RIP. He seemed like such a happy guy.

Just because he could pay for it doesn't mean he got it.

Depression is quite insidious. To bother getting treatment, you have to believe that tomorrow will be better. And you don't believe tomorrow will be better because you have depression.

Plus, severe depression means thinking things like "It's hopeless, I should kill myself. Eh, why bother." Even if you get treatment, and take to the treatment, there is a danger that you will fix "why bother" before fixing "it's hopeless".

One would think he would have been receiving psychological care in such a place, no?

Rehab is often about fixing symptoms like drug or alcohol abuse. Depression is a whole different problem.

Also, you don't always "click" with the psychologist. It can take a few tries to find someone that works well with you.

And that still doesn't solve the "fixing 'why bother' before 'it's hopeless' problem". We're not talking about something where the doctor can prescribe a particular dosage of a drug and the problem's all gone. There's some art involved, and it does not always work.

My suggestions if you have a loved one who is suffering from depression (aka what worked for me):
1) Let them know they are loved. Even when they are sad, and not being particularly friendly. Your love is unconditional, and remains no matter how depressed they are.

2) Make avoiding therapy more difficult than going to therapy. And help steer them towards a new therapist if they aren't connecting with their current therapist.

3) If there's some part of life that is particularly difficult for them, then run that part of their life for them. Don't ask if you can help. Just barge in and take it over. As they get better, shift it back to them.

You can be a billionaire with the best health care on earth, but sometimes cancer kills those people too. I'm glad she posted the hotline number.

including depression or bipolar. Anyone who suffers from any condition owes it to themselves and, probably, to those around them, to get help.

Thanks for thinking of this

But the depression was whipped 10 years ago.

Sorry, gotta find humor somewhere tonight

One of the most horrible things about it is that when you're suffering from it sometimes it's so painful that it's hard to get treatment.

Shenmue is right. There is no shame.

Please folks, don't make presumptions if you haven't suffered from it. There is no one type of it. One can be in treatment and still suffer from it. Just because someone dies it doesn't mean that treatment cannot help. If you are in treatment, please follow your doctor's orders, particularly regarding medication.

The good news is that it's much less a stigma, and much more treatable, than it has ever been. But please have compassion toward all, because it's not always curable. It can be manageable. But not in every single case. Just because it is manageable in most cases does not mean someone is a selfish jerk because s/he committed suicide. It means that at that moment in time the pain was truly unbearable.

Peace to all.

Severe depression is not "It's all hopeless, I should kill myself."

Severe depression is "It's all hopeless, I should kill myself. Eh, why bother."

That kind of hopelessness is not easy to overcome. And there is significant danger that treatment can knock off the second sentence before it fixes the first.

One can be in treatment and commit suicide. Severe depression is monstrous; the monster can take on different shapes and sizes. It's different for each person.

Those who treat it have patients who have endured physical pain. Many say it's a walk in the park compared to the psychic pain of severe depression.

But I've been there.

Please get help if you suffer from depression!

Thank you shenmue.

Now everyone needs to jot this number & website down and stick it to your computer, or your fridge, or your bathroom mirror, or tattoo it on your body, place it in your toolbox, or hell, to the side of your land line, or the back of your cell/iphone or list it in your frequent contacts. Where it will always be available to you or a friend or anyone who sees it and needs it! Yeah, you should put it in your journal or address book too.

Just jot it down!

make them feel comfortable talking with you.

Strength and love to you and everyone here who needs it.