SCHIZO-WHATA SCHIZOPHRENIA AWARENESS CAMPAIGN

MEAGAN STEINKAMPSenior Thesis 1 Paul Carlos Fall 2011 PUCD 4205F CRN 5339I I I I

CONTENTS

thesis proposalthe factsstigma of schizophreniaresearchinspirationprecedentscampaign componentssketches/draftscampaign mapoutcome

2345789

101213

THESIS PROPOSAL

Despite the statistic that one in five people has a mental illness, it remains a

suppressed area of medical science and carries a heavy stigma in the social

world. Schizophrenia, an illness that affects roughly one percent of the popu-

lation, is one of the most misunderstood and stigmatized of these illnesses.

A lack of information leads to misconceptions that spread incorrect ideas

about the illness. This type of ignorance creates a fear of what is being spread

as a misconstrued portrait of schizophrenia. It manifests into an association

of schizophrenia and violence, schizophrenia confused as disassociated iden-

tity disorder and as a general fear of those diagnosed as schizophrenic. The

stigma behind the mental illness can be just as (or more) painful than the ac-

tual symptoms and diagnosis. It is because of misconceptions and stigma that

the majority of those diagnosed (and their family) feel the need to keep the

illness a secret. This silence only continues the suppression of schizophrenia

and allows for the uninformed to continue the misconceptions. In order to

change the public’s view of schizophrenia, a widespread offering of correct

information must be given. It is time for the illness to speak loudly, to be seen

and not ignored. With my campaign, I aim not only to inform people with fac-

tual information about schizophrenia but also to design it in a way that is not

intimidating and visually impossible to ignore. The campaign will give a face to

the illness; in order to show people that those diagnosed with schizophrenia

can live normal, even extraordinary lives.

2

THE FACTS

3

1 in 100 people have schizophrenia.

The illness interfers with a person’s ability to think clearly, manage emotions,

make decisions and relate to others. It is a heterogeneous condition: it can

have very different symptoms in different people.

Risk factors include a family history of schizophrenia, malnutrition or expo-

sure to viruses in the womb, stressful life circumstances and taking psychoac-

tive drugs during adolescence

People with schizophrenia do not have “split” or multiple personalities, and

most pose no danger to others; those with psychotic symptoms account for

only 5 percent of violent crime.

Schizophrenia ranks among the top 10 causes of disability in developed coun-

tries worldwide; it affects men and women equally and occurs in all ethnic

groups around the world.

People with schizophrenia can still work, have families, maintain close relation-

ships and be involved in social situations. Those with the illness have gone onto

become successful musicians, nobel prize winners, professional sports players

and so on.

STIGMA OF SCHIZOPHRENIA

4

Graphic art depicting a commonly incorrect saying “I’m

schizophrenic and so am I” ; a line that has made its way to

tv/movies and media. Continues the misconception that schizo-

phrenia is Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) - previously known

as multiple personality disorder.

“Schizophrenia” or “Schizophrenic”

is often misused as a descriptive

word for a variety of objects. Spreads

false idea that schizphrenia is Bipolar (a

mood disorder) or DID.

Due to incorrect media portrayals of schizo-

phrenia, those with the illness are feared or

discriminated against. They are thought of as

violent, dumb, or that they should be commit-

ed to an aslyum. Those diagnosed with the illness

that seek treatment can continue living completely

normal, successful, even extraordinary lives.

5

RESEARCHIn a recent study, only 43% of respondants would tell their friends if they had

schizophrenia. 27% said they would be embarrassed if a family member had it.

Up to 10 percent of people with schizophrenia will complete a suicide in the

first 10 years of the illness.

People who have schizophrenia are much more likely to have a substance or

alcohol abuse problem than the general population.

Because schizophrenia usually develops in people during the critical career-

forming years of life (ages 18 to 35), and because the disease makes normal

thinking and functioning difficult, most patients do not receive training in the

skills needed for a job.

After 10 years, of the people diagnosed with schizophrenia:

25% Completely Recover

25% Much Improved, relatively independent

25% Improved, but require extensive support network

15% Hospitalized, unimproved

10% Dead (Mostly Suicide)

Nearly one-quarter of respondents wouldn’t want to have a schizophrenic co-

worker, even if he or she was receiving treatment; 34 percent wouldn’t want a

boss who was schizophrenic, despite treatment.

RESEARCH, CONT.Of people with schizophrenia, approximately:

6% are homeless or live in shelters

6% live in jails or prisons

5% to 6% live in Hospitals

10% live in Nursing homes

25% live with a family member

28% are living independently

20% live in Supervised Housing (group homes, etc.)

Those who acknowledged that they needed treatment (and thus had aware-

ness of their illness) but still were not receiving treatment cited many reasons

for this. 32% “wanted to solve problem on own” 27% “thought the problem

would get better by itself” 20% “too expensive” 18% “unsure about where

to go for help” 17% “help probably would not do any good” 16% “health in-

surance would not cover treatment”

Studies of attitudes in the United States from 1950 to 1996 have shown that

the perception of dangerousness surrounding people with schizophrenia has

steadily increased over this time.

A study in Germany found that the public’s desire to maintain distance from

those with a diagnosis of schizophrenia increased from 1990 to 2001.

It is estimated that 1/3 of the homeless population has schizophrenia.

6

7

INSPIRATION

Art Brut / Outsider Art

Art created by those diagnosed as schizophrenic.

Gives insight into the mind of schizophrenia as well

as visual identity.

PRECEDENTS

8

Organization formed to educate about mental ill-

ness. Individual chapters can be formed with help

from activeminds.

Campaign fronted by the actress, Glenn Close,

gives a face to the 1 in 5 people that have a mental

illness. Anti-stigma videos, tshirts, pendants, etc.

Encourages people to start talking about discrim-

ination against mental illness. Provides materials

and guides to get involved.

UK based anti-stigma campaign that uses humor

and videos that confronts the daily life stigma. In-

terviews with those diagnosed, interactive ads.

Forum for young teens and adults that suffer from

or are connected to mental illness. Based on in-

formation giving and communication.

9

CAMPAIGN COMPONENTS

WEBSITE

STICKERS

FACT CARD

POSTERS

T-SHIRTS

VIDEO

Provide solid facts about schizophrenia, create en-

viroment where visitors can share and connect,

provide material so that others can spread the

campaign’s message.

Posted around the city to draw people into the

campaign. As well as a medium of spreading the

word around other places/ to more people.

Manifested in a way to communicate truthful in-

formation about schizophrenia.

Spread message to a larger audience. Change

minds about the schizophrenia and start a con-

versation about it.

Get people to speak openly about schizophrenia

and ask questions. Recruit more of an audience to

awareness campaign.

Draw audience in, portray schizophrenia as a

treatable illness. Perhaps give a face to the illness

by portraying public figures with schizophrenia

and listing their accomplishments.

SKETCHES/DRAFTS

THE WEATHERIS NOT SCHIZOPHRENIC.

SCHIZO-WHAT.COM

YOUR MUSIC TASTEIS NOT SCHIZOPHRENIC.

SCHIZO-WHAT.COM

Sketchbook

Ideas of possible logos, symboliz-

ing coming together over the ill-

ness. Sticker ideas that intend to

bring interest to the campaign.

Stickers

Sticker ideas; intended to connect those

who may not know the facts about schizo-

phrenia, but use it incorrectly in conversa-

tion. Will be spread around the city, bring-

ing those who are curious or want to

know more to the website.

Tshirts

Purchased off of the website

to communicate involvement

and start conversations abou

the meaning.

10

SKETCHES/DRAFTS, CONT.Sketchbook

Basic website ideas, precedents

and mapping. Will combine as-

pects from various other anti-

stigma sites; such as ways of con-

necting, presenting information,

distributing campaign material.

Website

Place to learn about schizo-

phrenia, connect with others

that care, and gain materials

for spreading campaign wher-

ever they live.

SCHIZO-WHAT.COM

1.1 PERCENT OF THE WORLD POPULATION HAS SCHIZOPHRENIA

SCHIZOPHRENIA AFFECTS MEN AND WOMEN EQUALLY AND OCCURS ALL OVER THE WORLD

SYMPTOMS OF SCHIZOPHRENIA START BETWEEN AGE 16 AND 30. ON AVERAGE, MEN BEGIN EARLIER THAN WOMEN

SCHIZO-WHAT.COM SCHIZO-WHAT.COM

Fact Cards

Designed as a way to get facts about

schizophrenia out in the world. Can

be left various places, handed out or

mailed to others. Serves as invita-

tion to visit website.

11

CAMPAIGN MAP

STICKERS

STICKERS

FACT CARD

FACT CARD

POSTERS VIDEO

WEBSITE

T-SHIRTS

12

OUTCOME

13

I want my campaign to open a widespread conversation about schizophrenia.

For too long it has been supressed and kept secret. Without the ability to talk

about it, no strides in knowledge or acceptance can be made. It’s hard to con-

ceptualize the illness without having personal experience with it and it is hard

to talk about your experiences when the media is full of negative portrayals

of schizophrenia. So many people have been misinformed about schizophre-

nia and I’d like them to have to opportunity to learn the truth and fight ste-

reotypes, to better the lives of those diagnosed with schizophrenia and the

people that love them.