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OPINION
Mental illnesses

Families carry mental health load: Your Say

Zac Pogliano with his mother, Laura Pogliano, at a wedding in 2008 in Cape Cod.  Zac Pogliano was diagnosed with schizophrenia in 2009 at the age of 17.

About 40% of the most disabled mentally ill are cared for by a relative, according to a USA TODAY special report.

Thanks for the story "The Fortunate Mother: Caring for a son with schizophrenia" (News, Nov. 17). Articles like this can help us understand what people are going through and rally support for better care.

—Joe Baranska

My son has schizophrenia. He is 50 years old. I bowed out when he was 30. I think of him every day with pain in my heart.

—Bellita Jacobson

These folks do best in group homes. Medications are critical and group therapy daily is a must. People should not care for them at home; it is not fair to them.

—Bonnie Lynn

Getting ideal therapy and living conditions for someone who is mentally ill is so difficult that in many cases it's not even feasible. That's why so many families have to settle for patchwork solutions.

—Allan Vavroch

My 23-year-old daughter has schizophrenia. She is very fortunate in that she is receiving excellent treatment. She finally has the right combination of meds that work for her, and she has hope, which is more than many in her situation have.

—Steve Evets

Mental health care across this nation makes me so frustrated. We keep closing facilities, so it is harder to find a place to get help. I pray for all the people and families who have to deal with mental illness and fight for better care.

—Shelly O'Shea

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