Video 1: George Bridges
George Bridges was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia at age sixteen and has been on medication since the onset of his illness 50 years ago. He has overcome health issues and social barriers, earning a university degree and has worked in a variety of jobs including 20 years in the HSE. He is now retired. He is happily married and has 3 children and 5 grandchildren and hasn’t needed to attend psychiatric services for over 20 years.
Video 2: Anne Dillon
Anne Dillon is a family supporter for her son who has enduring and complex mental health needs. She is an advocate for better mental health services and is involved in work groups within the HSE. She is an activist for human rights and minority groups and is a self-employed business owner in the small-to-medium enterprise business community.
Video 3: Brian McNulty
Brian had his first psychotic episode when he was nineteen and had a further six episodes before the age of thirty-six. He remained well between episodes and was either in full-time education or employment. He graduated from Trinity College with an honours degree in social studies. He worked as a social worker with a variety of organisations and then joined the Probation Service in 1990 and worked there for eighteen years. During this time he completed a Masters in Equality Studies in UCD and a second Masters in Family Psychotherapy at the University of Limerick.
Since his retirement in 2009 he has worked in the Bedford Row Family Project. He was hospitalised in 2024 when his illness returned for the first time in over 20 years. However, he made a quick recovery and he lives with his wife in Limerick.