Kuala Lampur, Oct. 13 -- In various news reports, we are told the number of people suffering from mental health issues in Malaysia rises every year.

For schizophrenia alone, the Health Ministry reported a few years ago that one in a hundred Malaysians are afflicted.

As someone who spent the better part of 11 years caring for a mentally ill person, I can confirm that mental illness goes way beyond merely the person afflicted.

It hits families and communities as well, and it hits them hard. With schizophrenia it's especially tough.

My late wife's symptoms included paranoia, hearing voices and extremely erratic behaviour. For other patients there will be a myriad of other signs.

However, there is only one thing worse than seeing someone...