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MIFA WEBSITE Press Releases (4)

Schizophrenia Awareness Week 2025

Rethink the Label. Reclaim the Story.

Disclaimer:

The information provided in this hub is intended for general educational and informational purposes during Schizophrenia Awareness Week 2025, themed “Rethink the Label: Reclaim the Story.” It reflects current discussions and perspectives within the mental health community regarding the terminology, and understanding of experiences traditionally labelled as ‘schizophrenia.’ This content does not constitute medical advice or treatment. Individuals should consult qualified healthcare professionals for personal medical concerns. The views expressed herein aim to encourage critical thinking and dialogue and do not necessarily represent the positions of MIFA or any other mental health organisation or professional.

We encourage you to explore the topic independently, have open discussions with others, and do what is right for you and your circumstances.

What is schizophrenia—and why is it being challenged?

‘Schizophrenia’ is a psychiatric term used to describe a set of human experiences like hearing voices or having unusual beliefs. What we know in terms of thinking about language, certain descriptors can be helpful and others not so much. Some may even change from helpful to unhelpful over time.  This campaign explores why some people are questioning the term and hopes to start a conversation about the impact of labels.

What is a psychiatric term or label?

All psychiatric terms for conditions are constructs – this means that they are shorthand descriptions for a constellation of experiences, behaviours, and thoughts. At first the descriptors can be useful, however for some, over time, can link to negative narratives which in turn generate discrimination and stigma.

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Why are some people calling for the term to be replaced or abolished?

The label ‘schizophrenia’ can carry harmful assumptions of danger, hopelessness, or lifelong illness. Alternatives such as “psychosis-related distress” or “extreme states” offer more compassionate, accurate language. What we know from research is that people with this diagnosis are more likely to be victims of violence than perpetrators.

The CASL Campaign is an example of one campaign aimed at abolishing the Schizophrenia Label.

To learn more: Cambridge University Press

 

How do people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia describe their experience?

Many felt mislabelled or disempowered by certain terms. Others found recovery through community, meaning-making, and moving beyond the medical model.

We acknowledge for some people receiving a diagnosis has provided answers to their experiences and opened doors for treatment, care and understanding. However, some researchers and people with lived experience question whether the term is helpful.

Some people who have this label hear voices and others do not.

What is Recovery?

The term recovery refers to a deeply personal and unique experience. It can mean different things to different people. Some people welcome it, finding hope and choices in it, while for others the term does not resonate and that’s okay.

Everyone’s journey looks different because we each get to decide what recovery means to us. No one else can tell you what recovery will look like for you.

Finding North provides more information on this.

MIFA WEBSITE Press Releases (12)

Is hearing voices always a symptom of illness?

No.
Research shows that up to 25% of people hear voices at some point with only a percentage of people being framed as ‘having mental illness’.

Many researchers argue that it is part of the human condition and more common than left handedness. This means that there are many people in the world who hear voices and are living well with the experience; some such as mediums and spiritual elders hold value for having these experiences.

For some, however, the experience and or the content of the voices can be very distressing.

What is the Hearing Voices Approach?

The Hearing Voices Approach is a trauma-informed, person-centred, and peer-led response to the phenomenon of hearing disembodied voices. It views voice hearing as meaningful and explores what voices might represent, rather than labelling them as symptoms.

Did you know that the Hearing Voices Approach draws on:

  • Psychotherapy (coping with emotions)
  • Gestalt therapy (developing present distinct from past)
  • Voice Dialogue (drawn from Transactional Analysis)
  • Trauma theory (working through guilt and aggression)
  • Attachment theory (stress coping capacity)
  • Relational Therapy (Perth Voices Clinic)
  • Compassion Focused Therapy
  • Social stress theory (creating safety)
  • Cognitive behavioural theory (coping with anxiety)
  • Context analysis (relation with life history)
  • Spiritual theory (relation with meaning)
  • Epidemiology (health illness ratios – normal populations)
MIFA WEBSITE Press Releases (9)

What are some resources available to assist people?  

For too long, mental health care for people diagnosed with schizophrenia has been limited to hospital beds and meds, but for many, real recovery comes from prevention and complimentary approaches including:

  • Peer-led support groups
  • Community based mental health supports
  • Trauma-informed therapy
  • Safe housing and social connection
  • Access to financial assistance
  • Clinical support with informed decision making and consent
  • Support from family and friends

Head to Finding North website to search available resources

Do all people diagnosed with Schizophrenia reject the label?

No, not all people diagnosed with schizophrenia reject the label. The experiences and perspectives of those given this diagnosis are as diverse as the people themselves:

  • Some find the label helpful because it allows them access to specific treatments, services, or support. For these individuals, having a name for their experiences can be empowering and provide a sense of understanding or community.
  • Others reject or redefine the label because it may feel overly medicalised, stigmatising, or misaligned with their personal or cultural understanding of their experiences. They may see their symptoms differently—spiritually, psychologically, or otherwise—and prefer alternative explanations and treatments.
  • Some found the label useful at first because it supplied an explanation that they thought came with hope of treatment that was helpful. However over time, this help did not arrive and so they found the label less useful, because what accompanied it was stigma, forced medication, and for many, a violation of their human rights
  • Many frameworks of understanding exist, including medical, psychological, and spiritual approaches. The key is to support people so that they can explore their own experiences, symptoms, and sources of care, and ultimately have a say in what form of help or identity is most comfortable and beneficial for them.

Is it dangerous to question the label? Is this conversation dangerous?

No.
In fact, silence and shame can worsen distress. Open, respectful dialogue can support healing. Questioning the label is about seeking better care and understanding. It is important that we are open to other perspectives and experiences.

MIFA WEBSITE Press Releases (10)

How can the media report on Schizophrenia in an inclusive and respectful manner?

Mindframe has set a of resources for media reporting on Mental Health.

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Where you can go for information and support:

MIFA WEBSITE Press Releases (5)

Visit the Finding North website for information and resources about schizophrenia and other mental health conditions.

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MIFA WEBSITE Press Releases (4)

Visit Finding North Network to explore a safe and welcoming online lived experience community of people supporting each other to amplify lived experience leadership.

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