Mental Health Awareness Month: World Schizophrenia Awareness Day
By: Kristin Martin, LPC, Intern
May 24 th is World Schizophrenia Awareness Day. Unfortunately, schizophrenia is a highly stigmatized
mental health disorder. Did you know schizophrenia is the most common psychotic mental health
disorder in the United States (Crawford & Go, 2022)? About 24 million people are affected by
schizophrenia (National Today, 2023). Genetic and environmental factors play a role in the cause of
schizophrenia (National Today, 2023). Schizophrenia is a severe mental health disorder comprising two
categories of symptoms: one positive and negative, present for at least six months and severe for at
least one month (Crawford & Go, 2022).
Positive symptoms consist of:
Confused behavior, such as delusions
Disorganized speech
Hallucinations
(Crawford & Go, 2022).
Negative symptoms are the lack of normal functions, such as:
Reduction in words spoken
Decreased motivation creating a reduction in goals and goal-
directed activities
Decreased ability to express emotion through facial expressions,
tone of voice, and physical movements
Lack of motivation to engage in social interaction or the
preference to be isolated
(Crawford & Go, 2022).
Schizophrenia is a treatable disorder. Treatment for schizophrenia generally should be started right
away and looks like a combination of medication (antipsychotic medicines) and therapy (cognitive
behavior therapy) (National Today, 2023). However, many people do not reach out for help, and when
they do, they suffer from stigmas. When addressing this mental health disorder in an individual, it is
essential to remember that we say an “individual with schizophrenia” instead of calling them
“schizophrenic” (Granello & Gorby, 2021). Using the term schizophrenic may distance us from our loved
ones and restrict or control them (Granello & Gorby, 2021). We must remember that these individuals
deserve kindness and respect.
How to be supportive of someone with schizophrenia:
Educate yourself
Listen, but know your limits
Encourage your loved one to seek treatment and stick with it
Use empathy, do not argue
Take care of yourself
Maintain your own social network
References
Crawford, P., & Go, K. V. (2022). Schizophrenia. American Family Physician, 106(4), 388–396.
https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A721079057/GBIB?u=vic_liberty&sid=bookmark-
GBIB&xid=963228e2
Granello, D. H., & Gorby, S. R. (2021). It's time for counselors to modify our language: It matters when
we
call our clients schizophrenics versus people with schizophrenia. Journal of Counseling &
Development, 99(4), 452-461. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcad.12397
National Today. (2023). World schizophrenia awareness day-May 23, 2023. nationaltoday.com