Getting Help Is A Tougher First Step Than People Think

"Are you suicidal?". No. "Are you homicidal?". No. "Ok. We can get you an assessment, and then an appointment with the doctor in about a month". How frustrating is that? Have any of you ever heard this line of bullshit? I know I have, and I know others that have heard the same thing. They say to get help, that you don't have to live as a prisoner of your own mind. Then they tell you that they can't help you unless you are a risk to yourself or others. It's not their fault. The counselors, social workers, and psychiatrists get into this line of work so they can help people. No, the problem lies much higher on the proverbial totem pole. Yes, that's right. As with everything else in our society it comes down to funding. The politicians don't allocate nearly enough funds to combat mental illness. Don't you think that if there was more help for the mentally ill to be functionable and productive in the work force that it could potentially boost the economy just a fuzz? I think so. I had to go to the emergency room 5 times, finally lie and say I was suicidal just to get any attention. Ridiculous I say. Getting help is a lot harder than it sounds.