National Schizophrenia Awareness Day

National Schizophrenia Awareness Day held on 25th July, is a vital opportunity to raise awareness, challenge stigma, and ensure that people living with schizophrenia are seen for who they truly are — beyond their diagnosis.

Over 600,000 people in the UK live with schizophrenia, yet the condition remains widely misunderstood, with harmful misconceptions still shaping public attitudes. Together with our founding partners, we are determined to shift the narrative. This year, we’re highlighting that living with a diagnosis of schizophrenia is just one part of a person’s life. We want to shine a light on the whole person — their ambitions, relationships, humour, and everyday challenges — because only by seeing the whole person, not just the diagnosis, can we foster true understanding, inclusion, and better support.

25th July also holds deep significance for us. It marks the founding day of Rethink Mental Illness (England), Change Mental Health (Scotland), Adferiad (Wales), and MindWise (Northern Ireland) — all born out of the National Schizophrenia Fellowship. 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.

With decades of experience supporting individuals and families, campaigning for better services, and challenging stigma, we are using our collective voice to amplify this message across the UK in a united campaign this National Schizophrenia Awareness Day. With all five charities communicating about the same topic on the same day, we hope to spread the word — that living with schizophrenia does not define a person — as far and wide as possible