During visits in jail lives are sealed from one another. Plexiglas prevents the intimacy of a regular exchange. No kisses, no hugs, no handshakes. Hands pressed on each side of the glass provide only a symbolic gesture of love. In time this was to become a powerful symbol and part of my goodbyes. I have seen friends, my brothers, my mother and step-father, my sister-in-law and even my infant niece on the other side of the glass. I have been manic, psychotic and sane on the other side of the glass. I have had hair, no hair, no eyebrows and beards on the other side of the glass. I have been depressed, euphoric and beating myself with the phone on the other side of the glass. I have been strong and ready to give up on the other side of the glass. I have been through hell on the other side of the glass but you have been there to see me. To witness my world and acknowledge me as I am. You have been there to see me; to see me through. All the while we were kept at a distance we became closer and grew strong together.
Brett Batten
Author. Advocate. Educator
Brett Batten 
Very powerful and really helps me understand your world. Thanks for sharing. Your eloquence is very moving. I remember an episode when I was tired and not well and feeling extremely vulnerable and fragile (highly anxious) and my friend sat down next to me and said, what can I do to help?. Her love and lack of judgement immediately healed me of the fear which was building in me. Kind Regards Leanne
Some people don’t know how to react to someone in mental distress. Like your friend it is often a simple gesture that makes all the difference. I think exposure may have something to do with it. I find having been around many with mental health problems that I react more naturally than I might have in my younger years. It is unfortunate that more people don’t just sit down beside us. Isolation does not help and is usually unnecessary. Brett