No, that's not her life, although it might be the story of many schizophrenics, "I'm lucky," she said, listing the "tremendous family support," early intervention, medication and institutional support she was fortunate enough to find. But she sees the potential for what she could have become almost daily as a facilitator for the BRIDGES program at the Salt Lake County Jail.

As a consumer affairs specialist with the Utah chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, she serves as a mentor for people who didn't have the support she had. Because they lacked access to diagnoses, or didn't have a support system to ensure they kept taking their medication, or couldn't hold a job, they find themselves in the criminal justice system — often on a rotating basis for years on end.

"Mental illness is traumatic for everyone involved. Upon diagnosis, my psychiatrist told us that we would go through a grieving process. What I wanted for myself and what my family wanted would now be different," Felt said.

But when her father "voiced his belief in me — though we were unknowing of the long-term effects of the illness — it helped me believe in myself. In the beginning, my family was worried that I might not be OK."

There was no simple path to understanding and no magic medication to make it all better, she said. But with a family and friends who became educated, acknowledged the illness and provided support, she's turning the tables on her illness. Without it, "I would not be where I am," because "no one can do this alone."

She credits NAMI with helping her through the stigma to a place where she can acknowledge her illness openly, knowing that to do so may help someone else realize that schizophrenia is a biological brain disorder that is treatable.

At 35, she's optimistic about her life, but realistic about any potential romantic attachments. "I lost 10 years of my life in some ways."

A recent survey showed 49 percent of Americans "would not date someone with schizophrenia, even if they are being treated," she said.

"I guess I have a 50 percent chance. Schizophrenia is a large part of my life, but it's not me. I have friends who, to this day, have no idea," she said.

As an insider, she knows mental illness can be managed over time with support, treatment and the right resources. For parents who are afraid to even broach the subject, she has some advice:

"Stigma is a barrier to treatment, early detection and treatment is the key. … The belief that it will 'go away' is usually denial."

e-mail: carrie@desnews.com