Sorry to sound so conflicting but saying something "never works" is a bit bold & one sided. Do I hate the fact that people are starving in Africa, yes absolutely. If I had the resources to GET to Africa I would love to help.

But... maybe my brain is wired different than yours. Even medicated I have social anxiety, panic attacks, mood swings, the usual... I do the BEST I can to pay my bills, buy food & gas, take my meds to keep me out of hosp.
This being said, it keeps American tax payers from having to pick my tab & that is the BEST I can do to contribute to my state & country.

I'm glad you can donate & volunteer. I am not there yet in my journey/struggle to do these things. At 54 yrs old having dealt with MI most of my life & only receiving help for the past 10 yrs, maybe you can cut me & a lot of others a break on jumping "out there" so fast & confident.

By the way, you say you are bipolar. What meds do you take? Do you have a T or pdoc? Just curious, maybe I could benefit from something you're doing.