As you can see from the poster above schizophrenia affects around 26 million people across the globe. To put it in perspective this is similar to the population of Texas.

To mark World Mental Health Day 2014 we thought it would be useful to give you a very short overview of schizophrenia. This is because schizophrenia is the theme of this year’s day.

Schizophrenia is a mental health condition which impacts how a person thinks and feels. Schizophrenia may make it hard for people to judge reality. It should be noted that not every on with schizophrenia has the same symptoms.

Early signs of Schizophrenia, according to the Mental Health Foundation include:

1. Sleep disturbance
2. Appetite disturbance
3. Marked unusual behavior
4. Feelings that are flat or seem inconsistent to others
5. Speech that is difficult to follow
6. Marked preoccupation with unusual ideas
7. Ideas of reference – thinking unrelated things have a special meaning, for example people on television talking to you
8. Persistent feelings of unreality
9. Changes in the way things appear, sound or smell.

The good news is that Schizophrenia is a treatable condition. Therapies can include long term m

Schizophrenia can occur in anyone but it’s a treatable disorder. Long term medication may be necessary for some people but talking therapies and self-help groups are also be effective.

To help us raise awareness of the day feel free to share this page and in particular the awareness raising graphic above.

Thanks in advance.