According to Mental Illness Fellowship Australia (MIFA), 54,000 Australians who have a severe and complex mental illness are basically getting no support. This is enough people to fill 388 standard jumbo jets.

People with complex mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia die up to 23 years earlier than the general population. They’re far more likely to experience physical illnesses, relationship breakdowns, stigma, long stays in hospital, and homelessness.

Medical neglect is a human rights issue.

Many people don’t talk about or understand schizophrenia. But talking about complex and severe mental illness puts it on government agendas, breaks down stigma, and redresses the gap in health outcomes. This is why awareness is so important.

You can build awareness by:

learning about schizophrenia
listening to the stories of those with lived experience
correcting stigmatising language or stereotypes about complex and severe mental illness you notice
embracing (and starting!) conversations about mental health

Learn more from Mental Illness Fellowship of Australia