Your perception is dissimilar to mine. The sensory information you process is unlike mine, so our perception of what we see and feel is different. If you have a mental illness, perception can be distorted. People who are experiencing a mental illness often feel locked in a world without a key to their future. They see their life disappear or remain stagnant, while those around them move toward a fulfilling life.
"Life awaits. Meaningful friendships, inspiring work, independence, your place in the world. They’re all just waiting outside your door. Now imagine if that door was locked. No key, no side exit, you’re trapped , while everybody else blossoms around you. That’s what it feels like growing up with a mental illness." Daniel Pierce, Perception.
We as a society, as a nation, as a world need to break down the barriers that lock the door to independence, progress, and hope for anyone who has a history of mental illness. Listen, talk, and listen some more. Sometimes being heard is all someone needs to move in a positive and healthy direction. Be the light in the darkness for your one in four.