The writer expresses great concern over the condition of her friend's son who has been schizophrenic since the age of 13.

I empathise with her friend and would like to share some care-giving experiences.

One of my siblings has been suffering from schizophrenia for more than a decade.

Our family went through great distress in grappling with this sickness that was foreign to us then.

I researched about the sickness, its treatment and medication.

My sibling is presently working and is managing the sickness very well with treatment from a psychiatric doctor.

As a family, we rally around this person, giving all the emotional and financial support required. However, I wish to highlight that one great contribution to the recovery is that the patient accepts the sickness graciously.

The family's care-giving to the patient is a journey of constant support, patience and understanding.

From time to time, I would discuss the subject with my sibling from an educational point of view. The purpose is to help my sibling manage the sickness and give support to other mental patients.

I am so glad to know that our Government is beefing up action on mental care. There is hope.

I wish to encourage families with loved ones suffering from schizophrenia to accept their sickness and walk alongside them for this is a very important criterion for recovery.

Yan Yin Wai (Miss)