In 1983, when Trowbridge Road takes place, the virus we now know as HIV had just been identified. Most people were learning about AIDS for the first time, and their behavior toward those who received the diagnosis was often based on fear, prejudice, and misinformation. We now know a lot more about prevention and treatment of HIV than we did back then. Today, thanks to medical advancements, AIDS kills fewer people, and men and women with the virus can live long, full lives. If Angela Jordan had understood the disease as we do now, Marty could have spent his final days surrounded by family, and June Bug could have continued getting hugs and kisses from the father she loved until the very end. In some ways, Angela’s battle with mental illness, both during and after Marty’s disease, was just as destructive as AIDS was in their home, because her illness prevented the family from making the connections they needed to feel sheltered and nourished by one another, especially in a time of need.

If you or a family member is suffering from mental illness, please do not struggle alone. Reach out to someone you trust — a family member, a friend, a teacher, or a counselor — and tell them you are hurting. For more information and support, please visit the website of the National Alliance on Mental Illness at nami.org or call their hotline at 800-950-NAMI. Your voice is important. No one should have to suffer in secret.