Sadly, many of the people who need mental health medication refuse to take it.

That is exactly right! I believe that in many instances, people don't want to BELIEVE that there is anything wrong with them. For example, the ex was diagnosed as bi-polar during his five year period of disability, and was prescribed lithium, but after the first dose, refused to take it.

He became slightly violent, and when the police took him off to jail, they DID ask if he was supposed to be taking medication and NOT taking it. So law enforcement appears to be well aware of this tendency.

Here is an interesting fact, if you happen to know any drunks. Bi-polar people tend to self-medicate with booze. Their lows are so low they need SOMETHING to make them feel better, and of course, it makes the problem worse.

Bi-polar disorder also tends to run in families...so if you see an entire family who just love boozing it up, chances are, they ALL have the same mental disorder.

I know I have an issue and I'm taking meds. However, I've also been recommended counselling. Unfortunately, I don't believe that counselling is right for me and because of that, in my mind, my answers to any questions asked at sessions etc would be guarded and potentially not truthful leading to a false impression to anyone assessing me.

It's not always a black and white situation

It's a desperate place to be, they can't see the wood for the trees and need a lot of support. Even small changes can seem like a mountain to climb or out of their control. You have to guard your own wellbeing if you're supporting someone in that situation, it's exhausting to keep giving and especially when you see little in progress and you get nothing back. It's so easy to get burnt out yourself. ❤

I deal on an individual basis each day with the Baler Acted. Those whos decisions to abide by court ordered psychiatric care was not their own.

On average 90% are indeed in need. Unfortunately that same percentage applies to the willingness to actively participate.

Unfortunately because of a neurological disorder I can't take meds, but I go to therapy once a week.

I hate to say it, but a lot of the "help" does more harm than good.

For years I was too prideful to admit I needed the help, until my mind turned on me so fiercely I had no choice but to acknowledge that I did. Could’ve be happier I finally accepted the outside help.

I always advise people this: if you’re depressed due to bills you dont need a therapist just for being depressed for that 🙄 you need the system to be fair but it’s not like it’s gonna happen anytime soon BUT STILL, the alternative shouldn’t be “ok, well let’s just put them on meds and drug them” just because you’re depressed about not being able to make end’s meets and they legally can’t tell you how to escape poverty and they legally can’t give you financial advice. So to shut you up, they drug you because they don’t wanna hear about how you can’t afford milk which is why you’re depressed in the first place lol

that goes without saying with life in general. my brother is an alcohollic. he has destroyed a lot of things including trust. i finally said enough and as Mel Robbins wrote "Let EM"

You can't help someone in the US, if they can't afford the treatments too.

In terms of accessibility, it is a major issue.

I tried therapy once. Twenty minutes into the session the therapist tried recruiting me into a religious cult. I walked out and told my insurance company to deny the claim.

I'm all too familiar with this.

In general, there is like a 30 to 50% non-adherence to doctors orders for prescription drugs.