I have watched the first half of the documentary. It is disturbing and enthralling. It is about the Galvin family. Of 12 children, 6 boys developed schizophrenia. There is trauma, violence, fear. I am sure there were happier times but the show is pretty dark.

I was born in a large family, 7 children. My father had some sort of untreated, undiagnosed mental illness. He prided himself on not drinking, but he would rage unpredictably. He had trouble keeping jobs and getting along with people.

My brother, Pat, had a psychotic break when he was in college. My parents were ashamed and said it was caused by a cult. They would tell me people to avoid who were in the cult. He died young, at 26, in a hiking accident. I am sure his mental illness had something to do with it.

Years later, at 39, I had a psychotic break. I had earlier symptoms like mood swings and paranoia, I sometimes feel guilty that I can enjoy life and my brother did not have that chance.

My youngest brother has some mental health issues, too, but I don’t think they are as severe.

I want to thank the Galvin family for putting a light on something when tend to hide in shame.