[Fififjonka]

I have a friend with paranoid schizophrenia. He suffers from it for 10 years and is on meds all the time. He lives in a small village with his sister and her family with few social contacts, more or less isolated. His mother died soon after he got sick and his father doesn't want to see him much due to the fact he's so ill.
Ever since I've met him I saw the relationships in the family are rather bad. He's subjected to mockery and is getting scolded fairly often. I've never felt much - if any - support from them. Only his brother-in-law, but he's working a lot and doesn't spend much time in the house. My friend usually does nothing at all just to minimise the possibility of spoiling something. He's unkempt, not able to keep his room clean, doesn't care about his grooming and neither do his family. He only keeps painting all the time. But I know he's capable of a difference as he e.g. shaves when I'm about to visit. He can talk about many things just fine, at least with me, and it is clear that behind the disease there's a very clever person. Many people from the village (not all of them, though), see him as very weird and younger villagers aren't exactly friendly towards him.
It pains me to see he could possibly get better if treated differently or living in a better environment that would support him and lead him to being more independent. But what can I do? He's legally competent and adult. Talking about changes frightens him. And I can't take him to my house and I can't talk to his family members. I'm not a part of his family and they wouldn't listen anyway.
Should I really try to let it be as it's not in my capacity to change it? Sometimes it gets so painful to watch and the helplessness is the worst part...
Thanks so much for any advice!

[mimi2112]

I think that so far you are being a good friend just by being supportive and accepting him for who he is.

[likewater]

I do agree with mimi. I think it's great that he paints. It's great that you lift him up and support/encourage him.