The last four years has shown me how love and support can be a piece of the puzzle in the recovery process for those living with a mental illness. I have watched my sister/best friend suffer with complex psychosis, and have witnessed the difference the tiniest bit of love can change a bad day into a slightly better day.

"Psychosis is a mental health problem that causes people to perceive or interpret things differently from those around them. This might involve hallucinations or delusions." (NHS)

In 2014 my sister, Jerrika, was diagnosed with psychosis and was admitted to an adolescent psychiatric ward at the age of 16. 8 months later she was discharged on a very strong and life threatening anti-psychotic medication. Sadly her body rejected the medication and consequently the drug was withdrawn. Jerrika went on to try a further 4 medications which had no effect. Over the next 2 years her condition slowly deteriorated and she was diagnosed with Complex Drug Resistant Psychosis. We battled to get her the help that she so desperately needed in order for her to survive, as she was at high risk of taking her own life. When you think of a 'normal' 19 year old, you imagine someone to be working, travelling, attending uni, or just finding their way in the world; Jerrika was just trying to find a way to live through each day. Jerrika has recently been admitted to the National Psychosis unit; no days are easy, however we will all carry on to believe that there is hope in her recovery.

My chosen charity Tonic, helps people such as Jerrika find their feet and supports them through the using art and music. Everyone involved within the charity have witnessed the pain mental illness can cause, and therefore are doing their bit supporting those who live with the horrible effects that mental illness can cause. If you want to do your little bit, please fell free to donate, as i will be jumping out of a plane. (Although this thought scares me, i'm and sure it is not as daunting as living with a mental illness). And please if you can't donate, please go volunteer at your local psychiatric hospital; read poem, play a game, or just have a chat to inpatients, by doing this you can make a difference and this will be a piece of the puzzle in their recovery.