National Schizophrenia Awareness Day 25th of July

Why 25 July matters

The UK-based charity Rethink Mental Illness chose 25 July to shine a light on the realities of living with schizophrenia and to reduce the stigma that often keeps people silent. This year the campaign once again asks the public to share facts, challenge stereotypes, and wear purple in solidarity.

Across the world different groups now join the date, reminding us that early support and compassionate communities change outcomes.

Schizophrenia in brief

Schizophrenia is a long-term mental-health condition that alters perception, thought, and emotion. Hallucinations, delusions, or disorganised thinking may ebb and flow through a person’s life, yet with the right blend of medication, therapy, and social support many lead fulfilling lives. About one per cent of people will receive a diagnosis—meaning someone in almost every extended family and workplace is touched by it.

Where dissociation comes in

Dissociation describes a sense of being detached from yourself or your surroundings. It is common during overwhelming stress, and it can appear alongside many mental-health conditions—including schizophrenia.

• During an acute psychotic episode, the brain can use dissociation as a brief escape from frightening sensations.
• People with a history of trauma may already rely on dissociation; when psychosis appears later, the two experiences can blur, making diagnosis trickier.
• Misunderstanding arises in the opposite direction as well: vivid daydreaming, depersonalisation, or derealisation can be mistaken for “hearing voices” or “losing touch with reality.” Clear assessment helps tease them apart.

Recognising overlap matters because treatments differ. Antipsychotic medication may ease hallucinations but does little for dissociative numbness; grounding skills that help with dissociation will not treat psychosis alone. Integrated care plans covering medication, trauma-informed therapy, and everyday coping bring the best results.

Small actions, big difference

Community is this year’s unifying theme across many mental-health campaigns. On 25 July you can:

• Wear purple and share one fact about schizophrenia on social media • Listen without judgement if someone describes unusual thoughts or fears • Challenge language that paints people with schizophrenia as dangerous—it is false and hurts recovery • Offer practical help: a lift to appointments, a coffee catch-up, or simply checking in after a stressful week

Bringing it back to grounding

For readers who dissociate or who care for someone who does simple grounding rituals can keep the present moment in focus when anxiety spikes: feeling the weight of your feet on the floor, naming the colours in the room, sipping something with a strong flavour. These small anchors are just as valuable during a psychotic surge when panic threatens to tip into dissociation.

Stay connected

Follow @groundmeapp on Instagram for gentle education about dissociation, grounding ideas, and myth-busting posts throughout National Schizophrenia Awareness Day. Interested in shaping a new digital tool for managing dissociation? Download Ground Me from the App Store.

Together we can replace stigma with understanding and ensure that no one navigating schizophrenia or dissociation has to do so alone.