Could it be that there are more cases of depression because more doctors have added it to the trendy things they diagnose & issue prescriptions for pills to cure.

I have recently had a cancer partially removed from my bladder. They got all they could. When the pathology came back to my doctor he immediately told me the procedure for assisted euthanasia, so I guess the prognosis is not great.

He then told me he could give me medication for depression when required. I guess that would get me on the mental heath list. As I said to him, why the hell would I be depressed? The only thing left on my bucket list is my 21St birthday party come 29Th Feb next year.

I've raised 3 great successful kids, bread & competed on horses with them. I have flown off aircraft carriers, raced a Formula 1 Brabham Repco, introduced thousands to the Great Barrier Reef, & sailed the South Pacific, an area I have been fascinated by since I read Michener's Tales of the South Pacific.

I wouldn't mind renting a yacht & taking the kids for a sail around the Whitsundays, 2 of them were born there, & I could show them the things the tourists never see, but that is not a bucket list wish.

My only complaint is no one will give me an estimate of how long I've got, but I guess I'll live till I die, just like the rest of us.

Note a mate has given me the name of a dog wormer supposed to be as good with cancer as Ivermectin has been proven to be with Covid. I'll think on that.

Hasy,

Although we may be seen as "political enemies" on this little forum, I genuinely wish you well in life's future journey. From your tales of adventure its certainly hasbeen an interesting one. Good luck old cock with whatever comes your way!

One of the most disturbing cohorts to suffer abnormally from mental illness in my lifetime, has been those Australians who fought in the Vietnam War. Reports detailing shocking cases of not only mental issues and substance abuse, but also very high instances of suicide among veterans of that war. The impact of war on participants remained a secret for years, an unrecognised issue in the community and with government. I would suspect many Australians who participated in other wars suffered like those men in Vietnam.

Jacqui Lambie has been a strong advocate for the recognition of the impact of war has had on many ex-military personnel.

"Lambie, who has for years pushed for an inquiry into the defence force, detailed a lengthy battle with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs for compensation for mental and physical health issues." SMH.

Dear Ttbn,

«Depression is a complicated disease. Just taking responsibility for yourselves is no cure.»

Not the cure - it is the prevention.

«But, as you have revealed yourself as a believer that doing OK is down to privilege, you are not going to take any notice of what I say.»

I do take notice and even agree - that we protect ourselves with the faculties that we have been given.

That is elementary, but how did we get these faculties?

To protect ourselves and do OK we need a sound, pure and stable mind and a clear intellect, we need knowledge, we need wisdom - these are God's gifts and having them is a privilege.

---

Dear Mhaze,

«Unhappiness became medicalised.»

So true. The government-backed medical guild is grabbing more and more control over our lives.

«That, and that alone, is why depression is now so prevalent»

That was my question: is unhappiness really more prevalent, or is it just more confessed?

How do you know they weren't Far Right youth suffering depression?
Paul1405,
Easy to explain. Conservative parents bring up their kids with enough common sense to enable them to wash leftist indoctrination off like water off a duck's back !
Leftist parents do nothing except look for blame in people who (still) keep the show running including feeding the likes of yourself !

Hasbeen,

My best wishes to you, mate. All good things come to an end, and you seem to have had a good, interesting and useful life. I'm sure a tough old bastard like you will keep going as long as humanly possible, plus a bit more.