YOU ARE NOT ALONE - A companion online community discussion board for The Mental Illness Happy Hour podcast with Paul Gilmartin

it was painfully clear that there are four kinds of people: (1) cool people who work to make the world a better place (2) bastards who work to make the world much, much worse, (3) indifferent people, who might as well be bastards because they, in actuality, give support to the bastards, and (4) suffering people who see clearly who the cool people are and who the bastards are, but are suffering too much to be a cool person themselves

i was in category (4), i thought it would be better to not be here, but thought again, and then did my best to hoist the black flag, put a scabbard between my teeth, and join the ranks of the cool people

there just was no time for nihilistic thoughts

people are suffering because of the bastards

I put you in category 1 in my eyes. Cool people also suffer, they have fears of failure, fears of not being enough and fear of the bastards!

Thank you, Mental Fairy, I try, and often I fall short

All of you here, and those we have lost along the way, are the coolest of people

You are 110% someone I admire.
You MM welcomed me the very first day I came here and I will never ever forget that day. Your words and welcome made me feel validated and welcomed.

You MM are the reason I stayed on the forum for many reasons.
You battle each day and we are here for you. We battle also and you’re here for us. You my friend are a beautiful human being.

Well said, Mental Fairy. In addition to Manuel Moe's underappreciated moderation, he is a loyal friend. He is the heart of this forum.

Like you, if I may offer my example of what this forum means to me:

(TW: semi-graphic description of a person actively dying.)

Yesterday, after (1) seeing my estranged family and (2) being traumatized by the gauntness and gasping breath of my beloved, dying father, the first and only friends I immediately thought about contacting was this forum. Not other family, not IRL friends, no church, not my community. All these had failed and abandoned me.

At life's most difficult moments I thought about this forum.

I agree Oak, many times I’ve been in a situation and immediately thought of you all.

oak wrote: ↑January 23rd, 2024, 6:12 am At life's most difficult moments I thought about this forum.

Mental Fairy wrote: ↑January 23rd, 2024, 9:49 am , many times I’ve been in a situation and immediately thought of you all.

Same! Though as an absurdist I'm probably in category (3)

Howdy Troebia,

Maybe a fifth category: (5) artists who produce works that make life worth living, that are commentary on the truth of existence

You very much fit in that category, Troebia

Please take care