Introduction

One person in a hundred will experience schizophrenia. While most cases appear in the late teens or early adulthood, schizophrenia can appear for the first time when a person is middle aged or even older. Generally, the earlier the symptoms of the illness develop, the more severe it is. While it does affect both men and women, schizophrenia is more common in men and is usually more severe in men.

Schizophrenia is a frightening brain disorder to watch unfold in another, but is particularly frightening for the individual experiencing the symptoms. The disease affects the way a person acts, thinks, and sees the world; people with schizophrenia have an altered perception of reality. They may have auditory or visual hallucinations, speak in strange or confusing ways, or have paranoid delusions, believing that others are trying to harm them or that they are being constantly watched. In response to trying to negotiate the line between the frightening realities created by the illness, people with schizophrenia may withdraw from the outside world or act out in confusion and fear.

There are a number of guides to help the lay-person understand this particular illness.

Although the picture painted in Tell Me I’m Here is quite hopeless, in that getting the appropriate support and help – as sufferer or carer – was nearly impossible for the Devesons, things have improved significantly today. There is still considerable work to be done, but there is more hope with treatments and support, and acknowledgement that mental illness is as much an illness as any physically manifesting condition.

Mental illness – social response

Pre-reading activity:

To understand the importance of this text, students need to have a grasp of mental illness, both how it is perceived in contemporary Australian society and how it was seen and treated in the past.

Organisation:

The class is to be split into two groups. Half will be concerned with the history of mental illness, half will focus their work on more contemporary understandings and social responses to mental illness.

It is suggested that using the appointment of Professor Patrick McGorry as Australian of the Year (2010) as the point to distinguish history and contemporary response, largely because his work during that year did change the landscape with regard to the general public’s understanding of mental illness (and thus the public purse) significantly.

The history of mental illness in the English-speaking world cannot be without reference to Bedlam (now Bethlehem Royal Hospital). Although the hospital operated from much earlier, perhaps the historical overview could start in the 1800s.

Task:

You will have been assigned a group – “past” or “present” – by your teacher.

Past: 1800 to 2009 (although you may wish to look earlier than this).

Present: 2010 to the present day.

Past group

As a whole group, make a timeline of approaches to mental health. (Hint: looking at how mental illness has been treated will provide you with useful timelines and social attitudes.)

Determine the most important turning points in approaches and attitudes based on this timeline.

Split the timeline amongst members of the group.

Each individual or sub-group is to make a Pinterest “page/s” to share with the class.

Present group

As a whole group, research how mental health is dealt with in Australian society today.

Split into sub-groups based on this research. (Hints: media perception, how mental health is approached in schools, how mental health is approached in hospitals, how police are trained to deal with mental health, what support systems are in place, what does the research suggest now… all are aspects that could be considered.)

Each individual/sub-group is to make a Pinterest “page/s” to share with the class.(ACELT1639)   (ACELT1812)   (ACELY1749)   (ACELY1752)   (ACELY1754)   (ACELY1776)   (EN5-8D)   (EN5-7D)   (EN5-2A)