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 a day dedicated to raising awareness, challenging stigma and uplifting those who live with schizophrenia to ensure they are seen for who they are beyond their diagnosis.
Did you know that 1 in 100 people live with schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia is a mental health condition characterised by symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions and disorganised thinking. It typically emerges in young adulthood. Schizophrenia is a part of life for the people living with it, but it is not what defines them. Reducing someone to just their mental illness fuels stigma, misunderstanding and can create social isolation.
the search for the truth
The theme for National Schizophrenia Awareness Day in 2026 is ‘Search for the Truth’. What we see online – from headlines to Google searches, to conversations on forums or with chatbots – shapes how we treat each other offline. That’s why it’s so important that the truth spreads, not misinformation.
Schizophrenia remains one of the most misunderstood and stigmatised mental illnesses. In fact, 3 in 4 people with schizophrenia feel judged and isolated because of their diagnosis. This stigma can lead to fear, misunderstanding and alienation, impacting day-to-day life. Here are three key facts showing the impact of stigma:
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- 4 in 5 people feel isolated or lonely.
- People with schizophrenia have an estimated suicide rate of around 10%, compared with 1.1% in the general population – about 8 times higher.
- Almost 3 in 4 people feel they need to hide their diagnosis for fear of experiencing negative judgement, stigma or discrimination.
Every statistic represents a real person with hopes, dreams and a life beyond their diagnosis. The search for the truth starts with seeing the person, not the stereotype.
our history
This day holds special significance for Change Mental Health. It marks our birthday on 25th July 1972, when four charities covering each of the UK nations – Change Mental Health (Scotland), Rethink Mental Illness (England), Adferiad (Wales) and MindWise (Northern Ireland) – were born out of the National Schizophrenia Fellowship.
Our history lies in supporting families and individuals caring for loved ones with schizophrenia. Their experiences and insights helped shape our mission to ensure that no one faces mental illness alone. While our work has since expanded to support people affected by a wide range of mental health conditions, this day remains an important opportunity to recognise those living with schizophrenia, the families and carers who support them, and the history that continues to guide our work today.
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 Fife. This service helps individuals understand their experiences and reassures them that they are not alone.
You can contact our Fife Hearing Voices team via email (fifeservices@changemh.org) or by calling 01333540167.
“I have accessed support from the Hearing Voices service over many years. It helped me to understand that I am not on my own. I want someone who understands what I am experiencing and can support me. It’s reassuring to know people have experience and knowledge. I no longer feel dismissed.
“My friend recently commented on how I was now talking more and felt able to do more. That felt good. I enjoy getting out to my group and know my outreach worker is there should I need further support when things are difficult.”
Shona, diagnosed with schizophrenia, talks about her experience of being supported by the Hearing Voices service. Read more about Shona’s story.
How can I support National Schizophrenia Awareness Day?
What do you think about schizophrenia? We’d love to hear what you think. Share your views in our short survey below
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 to have fun, raise awareness AND raise crucial funding for Change Mental Health all at the same time! From 5K Supernova runs to zipsliding across Strathclyde Loch, we can help you find the challenge event that suits you. Take on a challenge and help us support more people impacted by schizophrenia across Scotland.
support
Our National Advice and Support Service can help you and people you care for with mental health concerns and money worries.
We can link and signpost you to relevant local and national support, including our own Change Mental Health services, as well as supporting with debt, grants and benefits.
The service is open Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm (closed for lunch between 12.30pm to 1.30pm). Contact 0808 8010 515, email advice@changemh.org or fill in the form on the service webpage.
For full details about the service, visit the National Advice and Support Service webpage.
