Unfortunately, I have few answers to offer to all of the many problems I’ve cited above (in my initial series of posts which you can read, in order, at The Heart of the Matter). They’re beyond my expertise, and in most cases, are beyond anyone’s skill, at this point.

My message is simple: Despite the problems, each of us is responsible for making the best of the situation.

Those of us with mood disorders, must stick with treatment, to the best of our ability.

Friends and family of mood-disorder patients, must help them along. And try not complain too much about it, especially in front of the patient. It’s not very nice.

For professionals in the field of mental health, my challenges to you are many: To become focused on cures as opposed to simply keeping a patient functional; listening to your patients rather than deciding, for them, what to do; working within the system as it is, to make that system work for your patients, rather than simply giving up when you reach the boundaries of what the system allows.

Especially for researchers, both physiological and psychological: Instead of identifying “risk factors” or biological markers, focus on causes, and the genesis of mood disorders. That is, precisely what is the process by which people go from being “normal” to having a mood disorder? What is behind this transition?

For people in managed care: Drop the fiction that mental and physical illnesses are somehow “worth” different amounts of money. They aren’t, and saying they are, is patently stupid.

For government: Halt the cost-passing game that’s making healthcare too expensive for too many of us.

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