Spalding mum's plea for lessons to be learned from tragedy of son Robert Sheriff, who suffered from paranoid schizophrenia

A grieving mum has shared her son's heartbreaking story in the hope it may help others facing the same 'demons'.

Teresa Sheriff has spoken about son Robert's tragic illness to try to highlight the lack of support for people with complex mental health problems and how they are preyed upon by drug dealers and other criminals.

Robert (38), who loved music and chess, died in Long Sutton in December after a hard fought battle with paranoid schizophrenia with a personality disorder.

Teresa told of the struggles Robert and his family faced throughout his life, with them repeatedly coming up against barriers and those wanting to take advantage of his illness.

She said: "Because of his illness, the demons it brought with it and the lack of support in our area - it's a postcode lottery with all health problems now - he became vulnerable to the 'scummy side of life'.

"His accommodation was broken into while he was an inpatient for an episode, his vulnerability was abused by drug dealers and he was robbed, beaten and used and abused by many."

While Teresa is grateful for the help of the police, MP Sir John Hayes and other professionals, she and her family had to fight tooth and nail for Robert's care.

"Through some difficult pre-teen and teenage years, Robert displayed behaviours alien to our lifestyle," she explained.

"At first we put it down to 'typical' teenager problems but it became very obvious later on that he had mental health issues.

"After a lot of support from Rethink and our GP, we took Robert to see a professor in Hull who had sussed him out within an hour. That's when she gave us the heartbreaking diagnosis.

"Our world fell apart even more."

Robert, who attended Spalding County Primary School and Sir John Gleed Boys School, worked at the old Springfields Restaurant and the Royal Mail Cart.

He also became a father to his daughter Sophia who he 'lived his life around', while also enjoying walking the family dog and helping others via mental health support groups.

However, Teresa says tragedy came with Robert's life as well as his death.

She said: "What was to follow after the diagnosis was really hard, with years of fighting on his behalf for the advised medication, respite care and general support. It was a nightmare.

"We fought for everything for him, from medication and accommodation, to support and hospitalisation.

"At one point, Robert was admitted to an intensive care unit for mental health which, even as a nurse, I didn't know existed.

"It was there that we had the best ever support and care for Robert, but we also heard the terrible news that each time Robert had a psychotic episode - as happens with schizophrenia - he would never be as good as before.

"This meant that each time after an episode, what was considered 'normal' or 'well' would be worse and worse.

"Looking back, we noted from family videos that was the case and that at the end of his life, our son was not the same person.

"Thankfully, we have always been supported by really good friends.

"When people asked 'what can we do?', I always said just be there and when people say 'blame the parents' tell them that is not always the case.

"His life was hell for a lot of the time, particularly the last 18 months, and it was hell watching my son disappear."

Teresa says she is still unsure as to where many of Robert's valuable belongings are, noting that his wallet and expensive jewellery were missing from his home when he died.

She added: "I am left wondering what was stolen from him, questioning what he gave away and what he sold to buy the drugs he was offered every day when he lived in supported housing in Spalding."

Teresa said people with Robert's condition may show a wide range of symptoms and wants everyone to be aware of what to look out for.

She said: "People see schizophrenia as being a 'split personality' and no more, not realising the horrific range of symptoms.

"Obviously every case is different, but just a few that we experienced were obsessional behaviour, addictive traits leading to dangerous behaviours, delusions of grandeur, extensive paranoia, self esteem issues, extreme or frequently changing beliefs, fearless behaviours, delusions, visions and isolation.

"I would like to thank the local Co-op funeral directors for their care and attention to Robert following his death and everyone for their love and support at this terrible time."

*Anyone with concerns about conditions such as Robert's can reach out to Mind by calling 0300 123 3393 or visiting www.mind.org.uk