When John first started to become ill we all knew that something was very wrong

I see those years as a waste of his youth and I do feel angry about that. We now know that early diagnosis and treatment of severe mental health problems greatly improves the outcome and level of recovery.

Once his treatment started, in 1985, it was as though my brother had been restored. His sense of humour returned and he began to enjoy pursuits, such as reading, that he had been unable to apply himself to when he was ill. At that time the government was running some sort of employment scheme and John was given a job in a library. It was part-time and he was able to work flexible hours, which was absolutely ideal for him. Unfortunately, it was a scheme that came to an end after nine months and there was no support on offer to help him move on to something more permanent.