Anger alone is a self-defeating, unsustainable motive for a lifelong commitment to social change.This is how David Hilton (1953-2003) inspired me to change the system, and how I combined his inspiration with my own personal qualities to sustain a lifetime of activism.
When facts and experience contradict an ideology, rational people question their ideology. Ideologues deny the facts and cling to their ideology. David Hilton’s life and death fit no neat ideology.
I had life-threatening mental illness, got well, and stayed well. Here’s how I did it, and how we can turn our mental health system into one that helps people get well, instead of keeping them sick, hopeless, and dependent all their lives.
Suicidal feelings, and strong impulses to attempt, always pass if you live long enough. So do whatever helps you postpone the attempt. Here are some suggestions that work for others.