"My life with a mental health disorder has given me great existential strength."

Miguel Ángel's life story inspires great admiration for his resilience, ability to overcome adversity, acceptance, and generosity towards others. Miguel Ángel Pérez Salcedo dedicates his time to helping others with mental health issues through the TrebolMente association. He works as a support specialist and facilitates mutual support groups.

And while he helps others, he also helps himself through the poetry he shares on his Instagram profile, poetaintemporal . "My beginning with poetry was a lifeline," he tells us, "it made me feel better about myself and cling to life without people noticing my illness. It helped me release a lot of poison, a lot of hurt, a lot of guilt...it helped me feel more self-love." Through his poems, Miguel Ángel conveys his vision of life, a composition born from his experiences and lessons learned.

Miguel Ángel has the gift of knowing how to listen and, at the same time, how to make himself heard. His profound understanding of what it means to live with a mental health disorder has come from very traumatic life experiences, but despite everything, he has been able to manage it and lead a "normal" life.

Mateo Gualdaroni Sacristán

Mental Health System User

"For me, having schizophrenia is a talent."

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Diagnosed with a psychotic disorder at a young age, Miguel Ángel struggled to adapt to life after multiple hospitalizations and relapses. This distress led him to attempt suicide. He survived, but while he was recovering, his brother, who suffered from the same disorder, did not.

"My brother's abandonment and all the suffering I have endured has made me a person who sees things from a different point of view, perhaps behind a shield, but with great existential strength," he explains.

Miguel Ángel is clear about his social role: "I think what I've been through can help many people; they can find in my experience a way to develop their own tools for living with the disorder." "I feel I can give others the ability to manage their emotions and limit the impact of a disorder that alters your mind," he reflects. He also shares this knowledge in all kinds of talks and activities he conducts for teenagers and young adults, including future healthcare professionals interested in working in mental health.

This testimonial is made possible thanks to TrebolMente .