Schizophrenia Awareness Week 2025: Rethink the label, reclaim the story

This Schizophrenia Awareness Week (19–25 May), selectability joins the national effort to raise awareness, break down stigma and amplify the voices of people living with schizophrenia.  

This year’s theme: rethink the label. reclaim the story highlights the significant barriers that prevent people living with the condition from feeling valued or seeking support.  

Schizophrenia is a complex mental health condition that affects approximately 1 in 100 Australians.  

This week recognises, over time, the label ‘schizophrenia’ has often been associated with stigma, misunderstanding, and negative stereotypes such as danger or hopelessness. 

This campaign invites us to reconsider how language impacts people’s lives.  

For many, the term can feel disempowering or inaccurate.  

Alternative phrases like “psychosis-related distress” or “extreme states” offer more compassionate and nuanced ways to describe these experiences. 

With appropriate support and treatment, many individuals with schizophrenia lead fulfilling lives.  

The importance of awareness 

Stigma and misunderstanding often surround schizophrenia, creating barriers to seeking help and support.  

By increasing awareness, we can foster a more inclusive and supportive community for those affected.  

During Schizophrenia Awareness Week you can participate in events that are happening to show your support and raise awareness or even using your voice to advocate for mental health as a human right.  

Commitment to care 

We know that with the right treatments and supports, people can and do recover.  

At selectability, we are dedicated to supporting individuals living with schizophrenia through our Mental Health Hubs, recovery coaching, selectwellbeing and group programs.  

Our services are designed to be accessible to all, with support and recovery that suits the individual. 

How you can help 

• Educate yourself: learn about schizophrenia to dispel myths and misconceptions. 

• Understand the label: much like this year’s theme suggests, listening to diverse exeperiences, rather than a diagnosis Questioning labels is not dangerous — silence and shame are.  

By rethinking how we talk about schizophrenia, we open the door to better care, understanding, and respect. This week is an opportunity to listen, learn, and support people to reclaim their stories on their own terms 

• Promote inclusion: encourage inclusive practices in your community and workplace that Create safe, supportive environments where people feel valued and empowered. 

Together, we can create a community where individuals living with schizophrenia feel valued, supported, and empowered to seek the help they need. 

For more information about Schizophrenia Awareness Week and how to get involved, visit the Mental Illness Fellowship of Australia’s website. 

And if you need to, reach out for support: 

• talk to your family or friends 

• to find support in your local community, visit?findingnorth.org.au 

• visit?https://findingnorthnetwork.com.au/?to join a network of people with lived and living experience 

• check out our online forum at?saneforums.org?to chat online 24/7, 365 days a year to other people who live with their own mental health challenges 

• see your GP, a counsellor or a psychologist.