A significant factor,aside from the bullying,in my developing a SMI was the intense anxiety of not wanting to disappoint my parents and yet being acutely aware that I lacked the non academic/independent living skills to cope with going to university. Nowadays though the system could be better, it's better equipped to help and support a 2020s version of me.A combination of there being no such support in the mid 1970s, and it taking till I was 60 for it to be acknowledged I had such difficulties, meant that,combined with fear of bullying,further education was not a realistic option.
Sometimes I feel worthless because of it. I wonder how many of my generation were in the same boat and, like me, never had the necessary help and support.
