Mental illness is by its very definition debilitating, leaving the suffering unable to help themselves. Those battling with depression, schizophrenia, bipolar i

Mental illness is by its very definition debilitating, leaving the suffering unable to help themselves. Those battling with depression, schizophrenia, bipolar issues, addiction often lose or are on the verge of losing their jobs and friends, possessions, homes, control of their lives. These types of issues just scream for a social safety net and free treatment for those who need it: we all pay income tax when things are good, so that there is somebody there to help us when things turn bad, even if we have no money, even if we are unable to ask for help, even if, on the heights of despair and irrationality, we staunchly reject help. It's a telling sign of the times that, instead of talking about social solidarity, pure market driven solutions that profit by charging their patients are taken seriously in this space.