Yes we should put our needs first - but it does not mean that you allow someone with a mental illness to just walk away and wounder because we don't want to be hurt emotionally. We are all adults with responsibilities to our family.
Yes, I guess it all depends on the severity of the mental illness. But usualy mental illess does not cure itself but can be treated.
I think it is fantastic that people put themselves first. But there is a difference between putting your self first and just being selfish. I love my self and my family - it is all about setting boundries from I learned here.