Mental illness affects almost everyone in some form or other. Whether it be as a patient or client, a carer, health care or other professional, loved one, co-worker or friend, it needs to be addressed. Mental illness is more mainstreamed now. We see famous people on TV and in the news, being admitted to rehabs for drug and alcohol issues, or private clinics for mood and anxiety problems. Mental illness does not discriminate, it affects people from all walks of life. It is however primarily depression, anxiety and similar mood and addiction disorders that are featured. There is still a huge stigma attached to psychotic disorders like schizophrenia. Perhaps this is due to society’s ignorance, there is fear in the unknown and the misunderstood. We need to strip down the black curtains that hide us from the world. Mentally ill people are not necessarily stupid, or dangerous, they are not to be defined by their illness. We need to be unashamed and proud of what we are able to do as human beings, not only for ourselves, but for those around us who are suffering. I have been told that my story is “intense”, but please bear in mind that it is my life and what I have been through. Despite the bad, times there have also been good times, pearls of happy memories scattered along the path behind me. Pick them up and smile knowing that I am on the other side and so can you.