I'm a psychologist, and I was always taught that tests are a component of an evaluation. They can be used as "short-cuts" to learning important things about someone, but cannot be the be-all, end-all. The psych should have taken those issues into context.

However, I would think whatever test you took would use more than one or two questions to determine bi-polar or depression...

As someone who works in the mental health field, while you have a good idea, it's not always that simple. I'm not familiar with tests used in an employment setting, but am familiar with testing children/adolescents for various things. Most tests have a "lie" scale. This means that there are questions that are worded in a way to make someone who is trying to make themselves look good answer them in the affirmative when a more honest answer would be to answer in the negative. A broad example would be, "I always tell the truth." Obviously, the honest answer would be no.

Sorry, but the simple fact that someone IS suicidal indicates that there is something wrong. There is no rational reason for suicide and it goes against the basic idea of self-preservation. So, I would say someone who is suicidal is NOT rational.

I don't know why you think you would take a hit, because you make valid points. I think the fact that this issue involved an adult harassing a child makes it a problem. I don't believe she would have knowingly done this if she knew suicide would be the outcome. But the point remains that adults are not supposed to treat children like that. And I don't see how anyone can say that Lori's actions did not contribute to the suicide. I also agree with you about the different types of people. I work in a school system and it fascinates me. It is one of the only settings in life where you spend a large portion of your time with a group of people that you are placed with and have no control over where they come from, who they are, or how they act.