Can you help or ask for money. Which is first?

[Rachelmale]

Patient comes first?

[Agora1]

What do you mean? I see this is your first post.

[Rachelmale in reply to Agora1]

You gonna want money after you get me hooked. Like the tobacco industry.

Really disappointed with people claiming to be mental health experts. Please impress me.

[kenster1 in reply to Rachelmale]

hi how are you.we are all like you in the boat looking for the paddle.none of us are experts or professionals just folk trying to get better.

[Agora1 in reply to Rachelmale]

Rachelmale, if you mean this forum, we are not mental health experts. We are just

ordinary people like yourself who are struggling through mental health issues. We

understand and support each other by sharing our experiences with each other. This

is an amazing and safe support site that helps you not feel so alone. We never judge what people say, we are a caring group of men and women who feel the pain of anxiety and depression. It's okay that you feel leery about trusting. When you feel

ready to share your life's journey with mental health, we will be here waiting to take

your hand and walk the journey with you. No strings attached. xx

[Rachelmale in reply to Agora1]

I apologize. Really frustrated with people that dont understand. You sound like a breath of fresh air. Got confused, I may rattle on. Again, I apologize.

[Hidden in reply to Rachelmale]

Agora said it so well.

I just want to support her post. No experts or professionals here...just genuine, loving, kind, supportive people who understand the bad days, pain, and loneliness of anxiety/depression.

We cry together. We worry about each other. We share sadness...but also happiness.

You can find hope here. You can find peace. You can find light.

I know...I did.

Welcome friend. You are safe.

[Rachelmale in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. Didn't mean to be a jerk., that's not me. Just hurting.

Again, I apolgize.

[Hidden in reply to Rachelmale]

What's wrong..why are you hurting?

[Hidden in reply to Rachelmale]

When you are ready, tell us why you're hurting.

You are not alone.

No apology necessary...and I can assure you, as a relative newcomer to this forum, it can help you...even on your darkest days.

You matter.

[Rachelmale in reply to Hidden]

In my mid 50's.

Found out, I lost ALL of my retirement savings.

I don't mean most, but ALL. Almost homeless.

Really hard to cope.

[Hidden in reply to Rachelmale]

I'm 48. A company I worked for from 2001 thru 2005 mis-classified me as 1099.

By the time I attempted to fix it, the IRS wouldn't go after the company.

I was forced to pay. Rather than deal with years and years of penalties and interest, I forfeited my 401K.

I too have no retirement and not much time to fix it.

I know what you're going through.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I don't know your whole situation and will not ask.

But there are other members in the same boat...or worse. Some are unemployed...some are soon to be.

The GM lay-offs have affected members of this community.

We are all struggling...some just to see tomorrow.

I try to keep things in perspective with this quote:

There are many out there who would be grateful for 10% of what you have.

[Rachelmale in reply to Hidden]

10% of what I have is about $500.

Living in an attic (roof over my head).

Borrowing money for food, gas, laundromat. (day by day)

Moved to a small town (now unemployed)

Struggling to see tomorrow is right.

Been struggling with set back for over 5 years now.

(PTSD, Childhood abuse, anxiety, depression, etc.)

Local "counselors" are just kids still learning.

[Hidden in reply to Rachelmale]

I worked 19 years for an ungrateful and unappreciative SOB. The job stole my happiness...my soul.

In the past 3 years things spiraled downward and I ended up in the ER 3 times due to a nervous breakdown.

I resigned...actually the entire office/management staff...walked out on September 14th. I haven't worked since. I am working on me. I deal with suicidal ideation and severe bouts of sadness and uncontrolled crying.

But I'm trying.

[Rachelmale in reply to Hidden]

No, no, hang in there.

I got fired once for doing the right, legal thing. Then entire department left in 3 months. Boss was convicted by state gaming commission.

I had a friend tell me something that struck me. "Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem." Even though my "temporary" has been since 2010 and sliding down hill. This is the worst I have ever been (even worse than adolescence).

Hang in there, don't let it get the best of you.

[Tcbabe in reply to Rachelmale]

Where here to listen and to be here for support. A few kinds words from the right person can be make all the

Difference in the world