If when you feel the insidious onset of your illness you feel you're losing your grasp on life, that may not be the case. Even if it seems like you're throwing your life away, you aren't. You're shedding your old life for a far better one up ahead. First, you will have to endure years of severe mental pain.
You may experience high levels of physical discomfort. You may have audio hallucinations (often called "voices"), delusions, fears, and/or paranoia. As long as you are growing, and preparing the beliefs you will need for your healing, you will continue to grow. Take action through therapy if needed. It is often useful when looking towards a life of healing and possibility. You'll find that God will open doors, and create circumstances for you to move you in the direction of the life you want.
It's important to set your sights high enough to get off of SSI, and away from government support. A healed mind will no longer need these supports. God gives each of us a gift to use to support ourselves in the world. For the mind to become sound, abundant creativity, and prosperous in thought, we must support ourselves.
We must find a vocation which allows us to fully use our minds. We must use our minds to create a way of life where we support ourselves.