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Lots of reasons for depression. Yes. 
posted by
Carolyn_Moe
on June 29, 2018 at 2:43 AM
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Re: TAPS,
The question was what has made the suicide rate in this country jump 30%, and that is pretty bleak stuff. But you are absolutely right, that the healing for despair is to consider all that humanity is getting right, despite the atrocities going on. We are finding our way towards cures for some of the most devastating illnesses. Daily there are reports of compassion, humans towards each other, towards animals, even animals towards each other and towards humans! Science comes closer to seeing in its own terms what have been spiritual truths for uncounted ages.
If compassion seems not to be in your own neighborhood, then go out the door and be the compassionate to someone who needs it--I use the general 'you' there, knowing full well that you-specific are one of the lamps in a shadowed world, keeping the lights on!
posted by
Ciel
on June 18, 2018 at 10:59 PM
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You make the total picture look so very bleak. What you say is true, but to dwell on those matters only makes things worse. One must find the bright side, walk on the sunny side of the street, sing, and be a blessing to others in need. That sort of stuff helps the world go round.
posted by
TAPS.
on June 18, 2018 at 10:30 PM
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posted by
Kabu
on June 18, 2018 at 4:51 PM
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Re: CCT,
The recent more affluent middle-class generations, from the 50s onwards, I think, have had too much done for them, too much given to them, and they have grown up feeling entitled to comfort and easy living.
The less affluent have had the same expectations of life held up to them without the means to actually get the goodies waved in their faces, so there is a lot of frustration there, damaged self-esteem for not succeeding as they were 'supposed to.'
Of course, those who never had a chance to rise above poverty have the same commercial values to desire, but not a chance to actually succeed in getting them, and so frustration becomes anger and a sense of abandonment on all sides: parents, society, government...
Trump and his ilk have taken full advantage of the anger and frustration, and are yet making conditions even harder for anyone not already rolling in millions and billions. Ironically, they are destroying the base of the pyramid they keep building their pent-houses upon.
posted by
Ciel
on June 18, 2018 at 12:10 PM
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Perhaps too many have had it too easy and thoughts stray from the puzzle of obtaining the next meal.
posted by
C_C_T
on June 18, 2018 at 10:25 AM
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Because they have too narrow a mindset and can't cope when a differing viewpoint sweeps through the country?
posted by
Corbin_Dallas
on June 18, 2018 at 7:59 AM
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