John Saunders, director of Schizophrenia Ireland, is On the Couch this week.
Occupation: Director of Schizophrenia Ireland.
Personal/family: Married to Dympna. One son Jack (21 months) and one daughter Rachel (22 years).
What figure from the world of medicine or health do you most admire? The founders of Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières), an international humanitarian aid organisation that provides emergency medical assistance to people around the world. I also admire John F. Nash Jr, a Nobel Prize winner and person with self-experience of schizophrenia. His story is told in the film, A Beautiful Mind.
What other career might you have chosen? I probably would have ended up in the business world. I am quite interested in cooking, so perhaps I should have become a chef.
If you could grant three wishes for the health service, what would they be? Firstly, that mental healthcare services be given the same value and importance as other parts of the health service. Secondly, that adequate resources are provided to allow the health service to do its job effectively and thirdly that family members are given the necessary support and information to help them cope.
What is your greatest fear? Developing a long-term illness.
Have you ever been a patient and were you a good one? Yes and yes, but my wife might disagree on the second part of the question.
When or where are you happiest? At home or on holidays.
How do you cope with stress? I try to keep everything in perspective and remember not to take myself too seriously.
What is the trait you most admire in yourself? Confidence and a belief that all things are possible.
What is the trait you most dislike in yourself? Impatience and stubbornness.
Do you use alternative or complementary medicine or therapies? Yes, when I have time I use aromatherapy and practise Hatha yoga.
Who or what makes you laugh? Apart from my son Jack, Spike Milligan and John Cleese.
What is your motto? Life is not a dress rehearsal.
What is your favourite TV or radio programme? Any film or programme which helps me switch off from the day's events. On radio it has to be John Kelly's Mystery Train on RTÉ Radio 1.
What books would you bring to a desert island? The complete works of John Irving, The Tales of the Arabian Nights and the novels of Margaret Atwood.
(Interview by Fiona Tyrrell)