Hello Andy,   You friend might want to talk to a therapist or join a support group.  E-mail me privately at the Connection for the name of a woman who wanted to start a schizophrenia support group in India, if that is where your friend lives.   Sometimes, talking with other people who have mental illnesses will enable him to feel like he's not alone and that there are people who understand what he's going through.   You also could tell him to join SchizophreniaConnection, as you have, and he can write SharePosts and Ask questions.  We are a supportive community and will give him encouragement as he navigates living with this illness or a related illness.   A upport group would be a good way to boost his confidence.  Also working at some kind of job or volunteer work or taking a course in something.   He has a good friend in you and that is also why people recover: they have friends and family who stick with them after they're diagnosed.  So I'm sure you will be there for him and your friendship also will be a big confidence booster.   Regards, Christina