National Schizophrenia Awareness Day is an annual observance held on July 25th to raise awareness of schizophrenia and to promote understanding and acceptance of people with the condition. Schizophrenia is a chronic mental illness that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. It can cause delusions, hallucinations, and disorganised thinking.
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The first event was held in 1982 by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). The goal of National Schizophrenia Awareness Day is to educate the public about schizophrenia, to reduce the stigma associated with the illness, and to provide support to people with schizophrenia and their families.
Books for National Schizophrenia Awareness Day:
Some of the best memoirs about schizophrenia include:
- “The Center Cannot Hold” by Elyn Saks. Saks is a law professor and legal scholar who has been living with schizophrenia since she was a teenager. In her memoir, she writes about her experiences with the illness, her treatment, and her recovery.
- “January First: A Child’s Descent into Madness and Her Father’s Struggle to Save Her” by Michael Schofield. Written by the father of a young girl diagnosed with childhood-onset schizophrenia, this book provides an intimate portrayal of their family’s journey through the challenges of dealing with mental illness.
- “I Am Not Sick, I Don’t Need Help!” by Dr. Xavier Amador. Dr. Amador’s research on poor insight was inspired by his success helping his brother Henry, who had schizophrenia, accept treatment.
- “The Collected Schizophrenias” by Esmé Weijun Wang. Wang is a writer and poet who was diagnosed with schizophrenia in her early twenties. In her memoir, she writes about her experiences with the illness, her treatment, and her recovery.
- “The Quiet Room: A Journey Out of the Torment of Madness” by Lori Schiller and Amanda Bennett. This book tells the story of Lori Schiller’s battle with schizophrenia and her path to recovery.
- “Henry’s Demons: Living with Schizophrenia, A Father and Son’s Story” by Patrick Cockburn and Henry Cockburn. This memoir offers a dual perspective, written by both a father and son. It chronicles Henry’s struggle with schizophrenia and the impact it has on their family.
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These are just a few of the many books that have been written about schizophrenia. These reads can be a valuable resource for people with the mental health condition, their families, and their friends. They can also help to raise awareness of the illness and to promote understanding and acceptance of people with schizophrenia.
In addition to these memoirs, there are also many other resources available – these resources include support groups, advocacy organisations, and educational materials. There is also a wealth of information available online. If you or someone you know has schizophrenia, there is help available. Please reach out to a mental health professional or a support group for more information.
If you found this useful, then check out books for Time to Talk Day to get conversation started.