May 24 marks World Schizophrenia Awareness Day, a time to reflect on one of the most misunderstood mental health conditions. As an ambassador for the Satellite Foundation, I recently penned a piece on schizophrenia, which you can find on their website. The foundation also launched a zine vending machine at the Melbourne Art Book Fair, dispensing “All the Coloured Glasses,” a zine filled with young people’s experiences with mental health.
Schizophrenia is a complex condition that often goes under the radar. It affects 1 in 100 people, the same ratio as autism. The term comes from Greek, meaning ‘split mind,’ but it’s not about multiple personalities. Instead, it involves a fractured perception of reality, making it difficult for those affected to recognize their condition. This paradox complicates caregiving, akin to communicating with a rogue astronaut on opposites day.
People with schizophrenia experience auditory and visual hallucinations, making the use of ‘schizophrenic’ as an adjective problematic. They are more likely to be victims of violence than perpetrators, contrary to the cliché of the unhinged person on the bus. Even at her worst, my mum was composed in public. People with mental illness often work twice as hard to appear ‘normal.’
Schizophrenia manifests in various ways, from talking to oneself to seeing hallucinations. One friend’s mum communicated with Jupiter, while another saw tiny people shapeshifting into animals. My mum once claimed to be on the line with Mozart. Such psychosis can be creative and fascinating, making schizophrenia less threatening when you spend time with those affected.
Caring for someone with schizophrenia is a full-time job, often falling on family members, including children. If you know someone with a mental illness who has kids, those children are likely carers in need of support. The Satellite Foundation is a great resource for this.
Hearing voices is more common than you think, affecting 10-25% of people at some point. It’s not always linked to schizophrenia. SBS Insight and iView offer excellent resources on this topic.
Schizophrenia is devastating, especially when used in Scrabble. Dropping it on a triple word score is a game-changer.
I’ve contributed to various platforms on this topic, including Sky News, The Guardian, and The Big Issue. There aren’t many movies about schizophrenia, but Sally Hawkins did a wonderful job in “Eternal Beauty.” Other notable films include “Angel Baby,” “An Angel At My Table,” and “Donnie Darko.”
Talking about mental illness is crucial. Silence only perpetuates stigma. We’ve been trained to keep quiet about emotional ailments, but communication is key. Whether it’s depression, anxiety, or loneliness, talking helps. I’ve written about my own experiences, and I encourage you to reach out to those who might be struggling.
Avoidance and acknowledgment go hand in hand. We often avoid situations that might stress us out, but reaching out can make a world of difference. If someone you know is down, don’t just text—call them. The act of reaching out can be powerful.
In a world where we often avoid uncomfortable conversations, let’s break the silence. Schizophrenia and other mental health conditions need our attention, understanding, and support. Let’s come together with education, patience, and emotional heavy lifting to make a difference.
