Schizophrenia

I refer to The Times issue of June 12 in which schizophrenia was linked to the use of cannabis. In the final part of the article, persons suffering from schizophrenia were described as "patients are usually extremely scared of people around them and often paranoid about the medical or psychiatric professionals who are trying to help them".

I would like to correct this by saying that schizophrenia encompasses a range of symptoms and that paranoid schizophrenia is only one type of schizophrenia. Moreover, the paranoid thoughts could be directed either towards individuals close to the persons, or else towards media such as television, newspapers or radio, and not specifically towards people trying to help them.

Another part of the article claimed that sufferers "are unable to work properly or develop normal social relationships". Although schizophrenia may influence one's productivity and social skills, our experience has shown that, with the necessary support, persons are able to find employment and develop satisfying social relationships.

For the past 10 years, the Richmond Foundation has striven to promote issues related to mental health. We have helped many persons suffering from schizophrenia to develop satisfying lives in the community, through our various services.