Actually, I thought the post you were responding to was quite insightful. Depression can be chronic, debilitating and painful, but it definitely is not terminal. Terminal implies that there is a highly predictable progression of the disease that inevitably results in death. I think the parent was trying to say we can easily see why terminal patients consider suicide, as they have a fairly determined remaining life, but we should also extend that same sympathy and understanding to those who have conditions which are chronic and painful, but not necessarily determinative of remaining lifespan.