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? :P
BTW, your friend who is suicidal is very likely sick. But that's not the majority of teenagers.