THANK YOU John Kirwin

I just want to say, a BIG thanks to John Kirwin for his lovely open/honest ads on the telly about his depression!!, I can relate to him, and just wanna JUMP UP & down when they come on and Shout...
"Thats Me"

I have to agree with you. Its great to see someone with his profile talking about depression and working to help remove some of the stigma.

And also to Susan Devoy and the guy (sorry, can't remember his name off the top of my head) with Bipolar.

Aubery is the name of the guy wirh bipolar

Is he Susan devoys brother??

Well i feel angry when i see john kirwan on Tv because it is all very well to tell people that you want help ( a big step) , but in my experience that help has not been forth comming for me. It seems like round and round the mulberry bush without getting any where

If your not getting the help you need surise then you need to be more forceful in your asking and also maybe take someone with you who can back you up and support you.

oh im in chat atm if you want to vent!

On the down side or maybe not, one girlfriend of mine & I were talking about hot guys & he came up, she made it quite clear, she didn't have time for anyone with depression or a mental illness. She knows I have depression & as much as I love her dearly & she is so good to me & for me in so many ways, she refuses to acknowledge my depression or talk about it.

There are some pretty archaic attitudes still to be overcome, sadly.

And comments like those sure aren't designed to make us feel any easier about being us.

Take care, Beanie, and nice to see you here again

Yes I think John Kirwan Rocks--It takes guts to come forward like he has.
Yes there are still shortfalls in the system-unfortunately.
But with the help of people like John awreness in increased,& better understanding from normal healthy people is achieved.
A big heart felt thanks John-

True, it is easier in some ways for John Kirwan to get good medical and psychological help, especially when many of us have struggled to figure out what is going on and to get help that works. The struggle is ongoing for many and others may never get any help.
I painted a T shirt around the time of the Kirwan depression ads on TV, with the question, Why am I not John Kirwan? At the time I had experienced so many problems with the service that I complained to the HDC and an investigation into my case was made, with the result that I got an apology from one of the doctors involved. It wouldn't have happened if I was John Kirwan. I didn't really get what I wanted, which was removal of the doctor involved and improvement in communication between staff, but I am proud I tried.
I do like John Kirwan. I do think he could have used his fame and fortune in other ways, but chose to step up and talk about his experience. I may be a cynic but I know the common experience is depression and it seems clear to me he has experienced it severely. Could I do what he did? I don't know.