My 17-year-old nephew has been a difficult lad for as long as I can remember. However, it wasn't until last month that my sister took him to see a specialist and learned that he has schizophrenia.

He's now undertaking some kind of assessment but, in the meantime, he has been prescribed medication to calm him down. My sister isn't handling the situation well, although most of the time she tries to pretend that nothing is wrong. I know that she's been crying a lot and is very depressed by what has happened - how on earth she is going to cope with this for the rest of his life I do not know. I'm there for her as much as I can be, but I'd like to do more. Other than her doctor, are there any other sources of help I can investigate for her?

People who have complex mental health issues are usually entered into a care plan known as a Care Programme Approach - the first stage of which is the assessment. It sounds as if your nephew is still in the early stages of this programme, so what might help your sister is to understand exactly what it involves. I would suggest you steer her to the NHS website (nhs.uk) as there is a huge amount of information on schizophrenia. Whilst your sister may already be receiving some support from mental health professionals, one of the most important things she needs from you is acceptance. Rethink (rethink.org) is also helpful.

My daughter and I had a terrible row a couple of weeks ago about whether she should be allowing her daughter (my granddaughter) the freedom to go out with boys.

She's only 16, but she's allowed to stay out until midnight.

There's even been occasions where she's stayed with her boyfriend's parents.

I've tried to talk to my daughter since, but she is avoiding my calls and isn't returning my messages.

Why can't she see that I only have her daughter's best interests at heart?

I really don't like the atmosphere between us now.

Raising children isn't easy (as I'm sure you know) but there's nothing more annoying than someone telling you how to raise them. At 16, your granddaughter is more than old enough to have a boyfriend and, providing she is sensible, be allowed to stay out. You think of her as a child but you're forgetting, she's old enough to get married. If you want to heal this rift, you are going to have to re-establish contact with your daughter, and if she won't answer your calls, I suggest you write or perhaps visit her.