your wrong about #2 in CA this is not the case however your employer is allowed to ask very specific questions about your reason for leave ( but most certainly not your specific illness or diagnoses) however these questions should be answered by a Dr and they are well trained in not giving up any compromising information.

IF your having serious trouble call your local mental hospital ( Stanford is world class they deal with this sort of thing all the time and there staff knows how to help you communicate with work.)

FYI :If you get fired while in the hospital or on leave without cause you have great grounds for a lawsuit ( plenty of lawyers will take these kinds of cases )