You never know

(this is for the other twin)

So the sad news of Robin Williams passing today really hit me that you never know what someone is going through.  Here this funny man who seemed to have everything going for him was suffering with depression.  If you've never personally dealt with depression or mental illness, you may not really understand why someone would take their own life when they have money and fame and friends.

I went through a period of depression caused by some medicine the doctors gave me for my migraines.  It was horrible.  The feeling of hopelessness and just not caring about anything was so overwhelming.  Just not having the desire or energy to get up off the couch was so heavy.  Luckily I was able to stop taking the medicine and come out of it pretty quickly, but for someone whose own body is making too many or not enough chemicals and who is fighting against their own brain and to get to a point that death seems like the best option makes me so sad.

I hope that out of this tragedy, some light can be shed on the horrible state of the mental health institution in this country.  Too many people I know who have sought help for mental health issues are either put on a waiting list or told there isn't help available because their problem isn't big enough yet.

It's sad that you can get surgery quicker than you can get in to see a psychiatrist because you are thinking of committing suicide.  And heaven forbid a parent tries to get help for a child who is over 18.  Sorry, but they are now adults and you no longer have a say in their lives.

One of the places I love to donate quilts is A Mother's Hope.  They give quilts and hope to mothers who suffer from Postpartum depression.
http://margaretshopechest.blogspot.com/2013/01/a-mothers-hope.html

If you have a desire to make a difference in the life of someone who needs to know that there are people out there who care, they can use quilts all year.  They don't have to be really big and you can make them as girly as you like.  A note of encouragement is always welcome too.

You never know what someone is going through, so even if you don't have time to make a quilt, just taking the time to smile at someone or buying them a donut or cup of coffee (or tea for me please!) or just a minute to say 'thanks' can mean the world to someone going through a really rough time in their life.

(especially a teacher who has to go back to work soon :)