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National Schizophrenia Awareness Day

On 25 July, we celebrate National Schizophrenia Awareness Day to raise awareness and reduce stigma about schizophrenia.

National Schizophrenia Awareness Day is dedicated to increasing public understanding of schizophrenia, a mental health condition that affects how a person thinks, feels and behaves. This day focuses on spreading awareness, challenging misconceptions and promoting empathy and support for those affected by schizophrenia. 

Schizophrenia is a mental health condition characterised by symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions and disorganised thinking. It typically emerges in young adulthood and affects approximately 1 in 100 people. Understanding and managing this condition can be challenging, but people can lead fulfilling lives with the right support and treatment.

Our history

Change Mental Health was established over 50 years ago by families and individuals caring for loved ones with schizophrenia. The experiences and insights of carers and those living with schizophrenia have been crucial in shaping our charity’s mission to ensure no one faces mental illness alone. Over time, we have expanded our focus to severe and enduring mental illness and mental health conditions, not just schizophrenia. 

From the start, Change Mental Health has grown to offer comprehensive mental health training, support research and advocate for societal change by fighting stigma and influencing government policy. We remain committed to person-centred approaches and meaningful participation, always guided by the lived experiences of those we support. 

Hearing Voices 

We support individuals experiencing symptoms of psychosis and schizophrenia, including hearing voices and other sensory disturbances. Our Hearing Voices service is person-centred and developed by people with lived experience of hearing voices. Hearing Voices provides support to those dealing with voices, intrusive thoughts and sensory disturbances in Tayside and Fife. This service helps individuals understand their experiences and reassures them that they are not alone.

My second eldest son became symptomatic with schizophrenia when he was 19. Up until then he had been a normal teenager – really musical and super-talented with lots of friends. One of his close friends died from cancer and that seemed to be a trigger for him becoming unwell.

Lee, one of our Hearing Voices Outreach Workers, talks about her experience of caring for her son diagnosed with schizophrenia. Read more about Lee’s story. 

Schizophrenia affects 1 in 100 people and we created the 100 challenge because we want to raise awareness of how we can tackle severe and enduring mental illness, and support more people to manage their wellbeing. 

Raise £100 for Change Mental Health this Summer by doing 100 of anything that makes you feel great during July. Your participation will help more people like Grace and her family.

Your donation to Change Mental Health, big or small, can allow us to help more people impacted by schizophrenia to get the support they need, when they need it and in a way which works best for them. 

Take on a challenge event so that you can have fun, raise awareness AND raise crucial funding for Change Mental Health all at the same time! From 5K Supernova runs and marathons, to zipsliding 1245ft across the River Clyde, we can help you find the challenge event that works for you. Take on a challenge for Change Mental Health and help us support more people impacted by schizophrenia across Scotland. 

support

Our Advice and Support Service is open Monday to Friday, 10 am to 4 pm, where advisers can signpost you to local support that most fits your needs, including our own Change Mental Health services. We offer initial advice on money worries and help to deal with emergencies.

Contact 0808 8010 515, email us at advice@changemh.org or fill out the enquiry form on the Advice and Support Service page.

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