SA Federation for Mental Health October 2014 Awareness Programme

World Mental Health Day was established by the World Federation for Mental Health in 1992, and is now observed annually. It is the largest awareness programme of the World Federation and it is aimed at increasing awareness about important Mental Health issues.

This year, the World Federation for Mental Health chose the theme ‘Living with Schizophrenia’. To date, Schizophrenia has been one of the most misunderstood of all Mental Illnesses, thus resulting in an increase in stigma and discrimination. The overall aim during the month of October, and especially on World Mental Health Day (10 October), is to improve public education, increase awareness, reduce stigma and discrimination against persons with Schizophrenia and advocate for better services and an increase in funding to psychosocial rehabilitation programmes for those living with Schizophrenia.