By Suzie Alexander, NAMI Supporter

I grew up in a small town. My parents once had 3 stores in downtown Pasco, Wash. In Eastern Washington. Shoe store on one corner, ladies across the street and men’s store. They worked very hard to give us 3 girls everything they didn’t have, including a college education. I was the youngest who watched and listened in the corner and stayed out of the way. I wanted to be the perfect child that did Everything right and stay out of trouble (or not get caught!). I remember feeling depressed and isolated at times but didn’t think much about it in my high school years. I went to college at the University of Puget Sound, majoring at what was called “Urban Studies” (basically Social Work).