Madam, - Anthony Clare was foremost among his generation in raising awareness and understanding of mental health and psychiatry. He brought an understanding of mental health to many people through his books and media work, notably his BBC Radio 4 programme In the Psychiatrist's Chair.
As a charity providing psychotherapy, aimed primarily at the Irish community living in Britain, my organisation was fortunate to have Prof Clare as one of its founding patrons. The work of Prof Clare shone a light on the importance of working with people's mental health problems in an inclusive and open way and helped to start removing the stigma that so often prevails.
As an Irishman and a leading figure in the field of psychiatry, his interest and sponsorship was hugely important in helping establish icap's credentials as a professional provider of high quality care. He retired as one of our patrons only a few months ago as he started to think about his professional retirement from psychiatry.
Icap has lost a patron of great stature, the world of mental health has lost an intelligent and compassionate champion. Our sympathy goes to all his family and friends. - Yours, etc,
MÁIRE BRANKIN, Chair, icap, (Immigrant Counselling and Psychotherapy), Moray Road, London N4.