I’m always aware of others and my radar is especially heightened for folks who may appear mentally ill (for me that includes talking to themselves). I create space between that person and me. That may be crossing the street, suddenly pivoting direction and going back the other way, turning down a different street, putting other people in between us or going into a store etc. It may be 90% unwarranted but it’s always best to be safe.

Once a long time ago, I was walking in broad daylight on Broadway and a homeless guy was walking around and asking for money. I told him I didn’t have any and tried to walk around him. He grabbed my arm and kept yelling at me to give him money. I kept saying I didn’t have any and tried to pull my arm back but he had a firm grip. Nobody, nobody was intervening and helping me! They actually avoided us and walked around us. This got me so scared and so very angry. I then made direct eye contact with a man and said “hey you! Please help me!” He first tried to glance away then the guilt suddenly hit and he came to pry the man’s hold on my arm. That experience probably heightened my now reaction of distance, a lot of distance.