Raze, you didn't understand my post. I didn't say that mental illness doesn't exist, I said that the labels are overused.
I know someone who works for medicaid. They have a bachelors degree in nutrition and have no experience actually working in the field of mental health (or any health). Sitting on your ass in front of a computer deciding whether to fill someones claim form is not experience.
Do you have an MD, PhD or at least a nursing degree?
I have one of those, Vash has another. In fact, one of my earlier degrees is in psychology. As I said, I have actually worked in a psych hospital, worked with these patients *directly* so I know what real mental illness looks like.
Stop posting your statistics, they are irrelevant to what Vash & Dig (and now I) am saying. We don't deny mental illness exists. We do know that too many people who *aren't* really ill use it as an excuse to not accept responsibility for themselves. Antidepressants are too easily and over-prescribed. Know how I know? B/c if I went into a clinic and made a specific set of complaints, I could walk out with a prescription I don't need.
So, what is your point Raze? Are you really saying that you think that every person who claims they are OCD/depressed/whatever really are? Do you really think that the doc that prescribes Xanax like its candy is really helping these people?
BTW, your friend who is suicidal is very likely sick. But that's not the majority of teenagers.