I think it was a good piece. Its good to see more people feeling comfortable talking about these kinds of things. We still have a long way to go.

At the footy yesterday I witnessed some fans who felt the need to mock Jack Steven's recent mental health struggles.

As Liz said in her piece, we're getting there, but we're not there yet.

Was talking to a mater over the weekend, he plays in the over 35's superrules comp

He mentioned his team has a message group, and a couple of the players had mentioned some mental health struggles on there and they'd been supporting those guys

That was encouraging to hear. 20 years ago that stuff wouldn't have been mentioned.

mate*

I guess people need to find excuses for poor behavior so this is the easy way out!

Many who have real issues and no support are lost every year but hey old "Look at me Lizzie" is a little sad.

Thank you, reality, for proving my point of "we still have a long way to go"

What Reality meant to say was, He (and all fans of basketball) wish Liz the best in her recovery.

I thought she would be psyched being able to pay off her mortgage again.

My two cents is that yes mental illness is a big issue, but as people we need to be resilient enough to get on with doing our jobs and handle responsibility despite it. And the societally accepted message should be as such. 'It's okay, take as much time as you need, you aren't expected to be able to do anything because you have a mental illness', is shortsighted because it is an excuse straight up; an enabler.

Hopefully that's what Reality was trying to say

"My two cents is that yes mental illness is a big issue, but as people we need to be resilient enough to get on with doing our jobs and handle responsibility despite it."

And unfortunately, therein you have just displayed that you don't understand mental illness.

My feelings about Cambage's article, are honestly a little conflicted.
It's a great article, the story needs to be told, and has been.
It's perhaps a little exasperating that it takes somebody like the human headline talking about it, for it to actually get noticed.

Sadly, I can also understand why some might just see this as a continuation of her "Liz the victim" stories, rather than possibly the cause.

But yes, we do have a long way to go.

You'd rather we not cultivate resilience in the people, D?

This shouldn't be an either/or discussion.

There's some grey here.

Too much partying and too many recreational supplies. It all worsens mental health issues (especially in women, who tradtionally suffer from more of it).

Get off the alchol, the party favours and dont party so much. Also STAY ON YOUR MEDICATION if prescribed by a reputable doctor

"My two cents is that yes mental illness is a big issue, but as people we need to be resilient enough to get on with doing our jobs and handle responsibility despite it. And the societally accepted message should be as such. 'It's okay, take as much time as you need, you aren't expected to be able to do anything because you have a mental illness', is shortsighted because it is an excuse straight up; an enabler."

If an employee comes down with a physical illness and is unable to do their job for a length of time, is it enabling them to allow them to take time off work?

This is no different.

As a society, we obviously want to put into practice measures to prevent illness (physical or mental) and injury as much as possible, but when it does occur, people need the ability to take the time to get the treatment and rest they need to come back fit again.

"Too much partying and too many recreational supplies"

You'll find that the substance use is often a symptom of the prior poor mental health. A way of coping - not a good one obviously, but with the stigma attached to mental illness, often more inviting than declaring yourself mentally ill. As can be seen above.

So only perfect people deserve the right to help? Ok.

When you selfish and have a victimhood attitude, it has a bad effect on your mental health,

Cram, she deserves consideration and help just like anyone.

Mental illness affects not only the sufferers but the people around them that have to deal with. If mental illness is to lose the stigma so its treated like any other health condition, then there will always be people who use their illness as excuse for poor behaviour and treating others like shit.

Cambage, comes across as a spoilt brat and victim who only cares about herself. This is just a perception no doubt the people closest to her lover her to death, but she's probably not the best poster child for this (see also Tomic and Kyrgios.

Dare I say, chalk another one up for a child being raised by a single mum. The numbers dont lie. Two parents (straight or gay) at a minimum and ideally a male and female as they provide the appropriate push and pull dynamic needed to raise (on average) well adjusted mature adults.

For those here raised by single mums, I know they tried their best and you turned out fine, but the numbers man...

Doesn't everyone suffering from anxiety nowadays.

Mental health issue can effect anyone, BUT just like those who use the "poor childhood experience" for their criminal behaviour, their are many who will pull the “mental health “ card as an excuse for theirs.

Liz has had bad behaviour issues since hitting the hardwood floor and her height looked upon as the next coming of the messiah , and blamed everything and everyone else for them.

So whilst it's good to get support for true mental health issues, there does come a time when people need to accept they are their own issue and take responsibility for their behaviour.

Again, we have a long way to go.

chalk another one up for a child being raised by a single mum

What is wrong with you people, honestly the lack of empathy is only surpassed by most people's lack of intellect and understanding.

Sadly, the opinions of the ignorant and misinformed speak volumes for the miserable state our society has fallen to under the pressures of world wide neoliberalism.

Likely the lead cause of many mental health issues I am willing to bet most posting here have never even entertained in their meagre thoughts.

Can one just please pull one's head out of that orifice for just one moment and take a step back to learn something and educate oneself before we spew all the hatred, just asking for a friend??!

Well said Isaac.

"... but the numbers man.."

Are you sure about that? I can't find the source so take this with a grain of salt, but I recall hearing that the differences in outcomes are not so significant when adjusted for income, which suggests it's an income issue. Although I suppose you can argue that single-parenthood creates more financial pressures, which leads to worse outcomes on average.

I've been there for sure. Completely life-altering. It torpedoes you. And see, mental illness is inherently self-destructive and perpetuating. My point speaks to actively forcing oneself out of that hole. For example, depression is being stuck in your own head, negative feedback loop, apathy the simplest of things become unbearable. Force yourself out of it. Worked for me. I would have been in the hole for a lot longer if I didn't fight myself to turn up for work on those days. That fight is literally like exorcising your own demon, but it is necessary if you're serious about improving your lot. Because work/responsibility in general help the cause