National Schizophrenia Awareness Day

Schizophrenia is one of the most misunderstood mental health conditions. And the impact of misinformation is real, fuelling fear, discrimination, and isolation.

This National Schizophrenia Awareness Day (25 July 2026), we’re meeting people where they are, answering the questions that matter most, and challenging the myths that hold us all back.

There are no wrong questions, only missing answers. What we see online shapes how we treat each other offline, so let’s make sure the truth is what spreads. Every diagnosis, every headline, every statistic represents a real person with hopes, dreams, and a life beyond the label.

Schizophrenia doesn’t define anyone. By sharing facts and personal stories, we can challenge stigma and empower others to do the same.

Whether you’re curious, concerned, or living with schizophrenia yourself, your voice matters. Search for the truth, share what you learn, and help us make this a turning point for understanding and support.

Together, we can rethink schizophrenia because everyone deserves to be seen for who they are, not misinformation about their diagnosis.

National Schizophrenia Awareness Day is hosted by Mental Health UK on 25 July every year, marking the founding day of Adferiad (Wales), Rethink Mental Illness (England), Change Mental Health (Scotland), and MindWise (Northern Ireland) - all born out of the National Schizophrenia Fellowship (NSF).

Created as a UK-wide alliance of these four charities, Mental Health UK honours our shared history of advocating for people living with schizophrenia, while showcasing the dedication and expertise that continue to drive change today.

We’re incredibly proud of the legacy that has brought us to where we are today, to become Wales’ leading charity supporting people living with serious mental illnesses like schizophrenia, as well as addiction, and their families and carers, through over 100 services.

But unfortunately, for people living with schizophrenia and other serious mental illnesses, too little has changed. Stigma, misinformation and a lack of appropriate care or coordination are still barriers that people face over 50 years on.

In Wales: 

• 68% think stigmatisation of people living with serious mental illness is a big problem
• 43% say they would not seek support for schizophrenia due to not feeling comfortable talking with friends and family
• People living with a serious mental illness die on average 15 to 20 years earlier than the general population

This needs to change - that's why we'll keep fighting for people living with schizophrenia until they receive the support and compassion they deserve, and keep filling in the gaps between statutory services wherever we can.

Alongside these age-old concerns, the emergence of new considerations such as AI chatbots also brings fresh challenges for people living with schizophrenia and psychosis. Using tools like ChatGPT, Claude, or Meta AI to seek support is becoming increasingly prevalent, with over 1 in 3 UK adults reporting having used an AI chatbot to support their mental health. Worryingly, 11% of people reported worsening symptoms of psychosis as a result of using AI chatbots.

We're passionate about ensuring AI is utilised safely and effectively to support, not replace, human-led mental health care. That's why we joined forces with Swansea, Southampton, and Nottingham Trent Universities to explore the ethical implications of using AI tools for mental health care.