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Schizophrenia Awareness Week Resources

Beyond the Headlines

Too often, schizophrenia is reduced to a headline, a label, or a moment taken out of context.

Beyond the Headlines is a campaign that invites people to look again — to see the human being behind the assumptions, and to better understand the realities, relationships, strengths, and contributions that exist beyond stigma.

Meet James

James is a fiancé to the gorgeous Emma, a stepfather to two young men, an uncle, and a friend.
During the day, he is a Senior Peer Support Worker at Barwon Health’s Swanston Centre, and a Research Fellow with Deakin University.

James has grown to mental health after his experience of schizophrenia.
But that is only one part of who he is.

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“The message I’d like to share this Schizophrenia Awareness Week is to be open — and to share your experiences. It’s not something to be ashamed of. It’s an illness, like any other.

There are hard parts — like there are with cancer, diabetes, or many other illnesses.

But I believe that even in difficult experiences, something meaningful can grow.

For anyone going through it — don’t lose hope. Keep going.

Life can get better.”

James, lived experience, peer worker, researcher

More than a headline

Too often, public understanding of schizophrenia is shaped by stigma, stereotypes, and stories that only focus on crisis.
That kind of narrow view leaves out the person.
It leaves out people’s families, work, strengths, humour, care for others, and the many ways they contribute to their communities.

Beyond the Headlines is about changing that.
It is about creating space for real stories, real lives, and real understanding.

Meet Lauren

Lauren is in her 20s.
She’s an arts worker who loves galleries and museums so much, she built a career around them.
She’s a partner, a dog owner, and someone who finds joy in creativity — knitting, crochet, sewing, and connecting with other creative people through shared projects. She works in the not-for-profit sector, dedicating her professional life to causes she cares deeply about.

Lauren is also a carer for a parent who lives with schizophrenia — a role she shares with her sister.

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“I would encourage families caring for a loved one with schizophrenia to do the — often hard — work of reaching out.
Share what you’re going through. Talk with people in your community about what it’s really like.
Some of the strongest connections and friendships in my life have come from being open and honest about my experience as a carer.”

Lauren, carer, arts worker

Beyond the Headlines

Lauren’s story reminds us that schizophrenia doesn’t just affect one person. It shapes families, relationships, and communities — often in ways we don’t see.
When people feel able to speak openly, connection grows.
And with connection, stigma begins to shift.

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Built from real conversations with James and Lauren, these resources bring lived experience to the forefront of Schizophrenia Awareness Week.
Use them to spark conversations, challenge stigma, and help shift the narrative — from headlines to human experiences.
Through sharing real stories, we can build understanding, use language more thoughtfully, and recognise the vital role of community and support in recovery.

 

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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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