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SITTING IN a pub near Oxford Circus in London, John O’Donoghue is talking of his experience of psychiatric hospitals and electric shock therapy. It is a conversation braided with loss and pain. Suddenly an elderly man approaches and shakes a collection box at our table. Instinctively we fumble for change. O’Donoghue asks: “What are you collecting for? ”

The answer comes back immeidately. “Mental health,” says the old man. There is a pause and suddenly O’Donoghue laughs aloud and leans forward to show the old man his new book, Sectioned – A Life Interrupted. “Oh, being sectioned – that’s not very nice,” the collector says. And then he moves quickly on to rattle his box at another table.