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Canterbury and Coastal Commissioning Group
Celebrating World Mental Health Day
Oct 2014
NHS Canterbury and Coastal Clinical Commissioning Group is asking local people to
think about schizophrenia on World Mental Health Day 2014.
World Mental Health Day is observed on 10 October every year, and aims to raise
awareness of mental health concerns around the world, and mobilise efforts in
support of mental health.
The theme for 2014 is ‘living with schizophrenia’ – a disease that is often
misunderstood by many in society.
In the Canterbury and Coastal area, there are more than 1,600 people registered as
having severe mental illness – including schizophrenia – with incidence of the illness
strongly linked to deprivation.
Schizophrenia is a long-term mental health condition that causes a range of different
psychological symptoms, including hallucinations, delusions, muddled thoughts
based on the hallucinations or delusions, and changes in behaviour. Schizophrenia
is often described as a ‘psychotic’ illness because a person with the disease may not
be able to distinguish their own thoughts and ideas from reality.
Roughly one in every 100 people is diagnosed with schizophrenia and it affects men
and women equally. Most people diagnosed with schizophrenia are aged between
18 and 35, but men tend to be diagnosed at a slightly younger age than women.
African-Caribbean men in the UK are much more likely to be diagnosed with
schizophrenia in comparison to white people, but there is no evidence of biological
vulnerability.
Despite much research, the causes of schizophrenia are still unknown, but there is
strong evidence pointing to a combination of physical, genetic, psychological and
environmental factors contributing to the condition developing.
Some people may be prone to schizophrenia, and a stressful or emotional life event
– such as a bereavement or redundancy – may trigger a psychotic episode. But it’s
not known why some people develop symptoms while others do not.
There has been significant research into the link between cannabis use and
schizophrenia. Teenagers under 15 who use cannabis regularly – particularly the
‘skunk’ variety – are up to four times more likely to develop schizophrenia by the age
of 26.
Dr Azubuike Chile, the CCG’s clinical lead for mental health, said: “There are
widespread myths that surround schizophrenia. For example, people assume
someone with schizophrenia will have a split personality and are very violent. This
simply is not true.
“NHS Canterbury and Coastal CCG is committed to supporting those with mental
illness. Those with schizophrenia have to face much adversity, and their condition
needs to be viewed with compassion and understanding.”
Treatment and care are usually based in the community rather than at hospitals. The
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends that the
patient's social circumstances be assessed and their family involved as soon as
possible. Most areas of the UK have a community mental healthcare team which
includes psychiatrists, nurses, psychologists and social workers. A key worker such
as a community psychiatric nurse or psychiatric social worker is usually allocated to
co-ordinate the care for each person with schizophrenia.
With medication and talking therapies, many people with schizophrenia now never
have to go into hospital and are able to settle down, work and have lasting
relationships. For every five people with schizophrenia:
• One will get better within five years of their first obvious symptoms.
• Three will get better, but will have times when they get worse again.
• One will have troublesome symptoms for long periods of time.
Anyone experiencing a mental health emergency who needs help and to speak to
someone immediately can call the 24-hour Mental Health Matters Helpline on 0800
107 0160 and a trained telephone adviser will support you to find help. Mental Health
Matters also have a Freephone number for mobiles: 0300 330 5486.
Support and advice is also available on the mental health matters at the Live It Well
website at www.liveitwell.org.uk
Further information and advice can be found at Mental Health Matters
website www.mentalhealthmatters.com
If anyone is worried about their mental health – or the mental health of someone else
– they can visit the Health Help Now, the website which has been optimised for use
on mobile devices that have internet access. Go to www.healthhelpnow-nhs.net
The World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) was founded in 1948, and is an
international membership organisation. It exists to advance, among all peoples and
nations, the prevention of mental and emotional disorders, the proper treatment and
care of those with such disorders, and the promotion of mental health.
World Mental Health Day was first celebrated in 1992, and is designed to educate
people about mental illness and raise awareness.