Dear Philip:
I agree with you completely and unequivocally that it would be heart wrenching to see Liz close her blog, or go in a totally different direction. But I wish her the very best in any endeavor she chooses to pursue, as well as all the happiness the world can bring her in this journey of life. I have already commented on her blog, and hope she hangs in there and continues to inspire, educate, inform, and brighten our days with her wonderful writing and sense of humor; in spite of her own difficult personal circumstances and struggles. Her Blog was the inspiration for me to start my own mental health blog.
But don’t get to jealous on this hideously chilled showery night in the great north west Philip; because you are a huge inspiration also with all the insightful, passionate, and intelligent work you do here at Furious Seasons {smirk}. Do I hear a cow mooing at the moon?, or is it just that impetuous time for me to dawn my rubber ducky bright yellow colored hip waiters before it gets waist deep in bull ---- here {laughing}.
I do send out my best wishes and prayers to Susan S. for her speedy recovery, and good health.

Yours truly
Stan

Sending everyone wishes of good health and cheer, I hope Susan gets well very soon, and that Liz follows her heart, and well that the sun comes out for Philip.

Also, on the note of extending good wishes for fellow bloggers; there is one author who is listed on the side blog roll here, who is according to an anonymous commenter on my blog, in the hospital. Here is the link to my post where anyone who wants to leave Mark, from "Psych Survivor" a comment you can. He is a frequent commenter on this blog, and a voice that is missed among us.

The implosion of some mental health blogs is a concern, but I'm sure it's very hard to keep it coming every single day. Maybe we need something along the model of, dare I say it, the Huffington post, where several people interested in the topic team up and post to the same place, but something would be lost doing that too I know since the personal voice is so important.

Anyway have a great weekend and sincerely hope the new project leads to good things for you. I hope all the bloggers struggling right now find their path to healing and a prosperous life and I thank them for the wonderful and interesting things they've shared with us to date.

"...I know since the personal voice is so important."
Sara,
I truly believe that patients testimonies are one of the most important weapons to give the exact idea about this mental health scandal in which some of us are part.
I never went to her blog. Just got a glimpse on this post but still left no message.
Hope she gets well soon.
I noticed she is on Efexor...
Yeap! I know! I know!
Hell drug!

what the hell it snowing 2 inches here on April 19th! maybe May will be better?

Liz is a delightful, talented writer, and yet I can't wait until she finally smells the coffee and gets off of the drugs. My theory is that she may need to take her life in a direction away from focusing on being mentally ill to do so, but it's just a theory. If she goes in a different direction, I suspect she'll still have good stuff to say.

I think Sara made that comment about Liz the same as Sally, that Liz is a gifted writer and would like to see her off meds.

I believe Liz knows about what is best for her regarding meds, and interesting to note that when Philip started this blog he was on medications. Now he is off of them. Anyone see a difference in his gift and talent as a writer on or off meds? I sure don't.

I think it's ridiculous to judge another person using medication. Of course I know the pitfall,s the death, side effects, adverse reactions from personal experience, but I think it's about choice of the person, and frankly this just bugs me that 2 people have already taken Liz' inquiry as to blog or not to the level of "should I medicate myself or not?" I don't believe Liz asked that.

Stephany,

I'm not judging Liz, just giving my opinion. Liz has endured lots of my comments and is certainly capable of weighting my opinions anyway she wants, still, I too bought the party line about meds and took ssri's and klonipin for awhile for dysthemia and GAD. Getting off of them saved my life so it's hard not to preach.

Stephany, I know it's up to Liz what she does but I'm just stating my opinion that I think her recent problems are due to her treatment rather than her illness. I think I'm free to state that. I admit it's an opinion but it's based on a lot of experience observing medication reactions I can tell you that. I'd like her to at least acknowledge that as a possibility although I don't think she's going to much less try to tackle it.

Yes I understand, I'm in the same boat Sally and Sara, I think what bothers me is the thought that someone would think Liz or anyone else who gets efficacy from the drugs and talent are compared as if --off drugs their talent would be better- or something. Nothing personal here, just a "me" thing.

I know I could say that to you both, because, hell we are all in this together and I know we respect each other enough to say stuff.

:)

Right Stephany -- I don't think I said her talent is being affected by the drugs or that it will be any less or more off the drugs; I'm not sure how you read this into my remarks. Really it's just the suffering that concerns me and the way in which that is impacting her ability to work. Anyway I know we're not really on drastically different pages -- maybe just different paragraphs! ;) No hard feelings I hope!

Yep Stephany, I don't think her talent would be better off of the drugs and I do believe it's up to her whether or not she takes drugs and that she's smart enough to make her own decisions and has a right to do so.

Sara, I was remembering a comment you wrote in March about Liz in a round up post. Anyway, never any hard feelings, we are on the same page and most likely the same paragraph too :)

Mental health blogs are not going bye-bye---please check out http://www.coping-with-life.com. My name is Tom Davis and I'm a reporter with The Bergen Record in N.J. I also write for The Huffington Post.