Hello White Witch: Gee... your hubby sounds a lot like me... except that I'll bet I'm a couple of years older. I too have pretty-much given up on the mental health system where I live. I've been on various med's in the past. They really weren't of any help at all. I've seen a few different therapists for short periods. They ranged from mediocre to dreadful! I've been involuntarily hospitalized following 2 major suicide attempts. And I have a history of self harm.

I also have an interest in Buddhism... in particular the writings of the Buddhist nun Pema Chödrön. (I also have a YouTube channel although at this point I primarily use it as a place to access music videos I enjoy listening to... often while I'm here on PC replying to other member's threads.) My wife & I have a dog we walk a couple of times daily... weather permitting or not!

I don't know what to tell you about your husband's situation although I certainly understand what he is experiencing. I've been there myself. And, unfortunately, I seem to go back there periodically. The thing that seems to be of the most help to me at the moment is that I do about an hour-&-a-half to two hours of mindfulness yoga every day. I don't know if your hubby has tried doing sitting meditation. I have. And I've really never derived much benefit from it. I much prefer doing yoga mindfully & doing walking meditation.

One book I have found to be especially helpful is Jon Kabat-Zinn's book: Full Catastrophe Living. It details the stress reduction program that was (& presumably is still) offered at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center. The program is sort-of grounded in a Buddhist-oriented perspective. But it is oriented toward people who struggle medical & / or emotional problems. I highly recommend it, if your husband isn't familiar with it. There may well also be similar types of programs offered where you live that your husband could attend. I did this years ago. And, beyond that, I guess the other suggestion that comes to mind is simply that, unless you have your own mental health issues you want to talk about here on PC, perhaps it is your husband who should be here. There can be a lot of support available here on PsychCentral. Perhaps it could help.