About Mental Illness

The onset of schizophrenia usually takes place in the late teens or early 20's - sometimes later for women. Around the world, approximately 1% of the population -- or one in a hundred people - will experience some form of schizophrenia.

Even though schizophrenia is rare, its early onset and the lifelong disability it brings to people affected, including their families, make schizophrenia one of the most catastrophic mental illnesses.

The name 'schizophrenia' has its roots the ancient Greek language, where two words meaning 'split' and 'mind' were combined. This explains the common misconception is that schizophrenia is a "multiple personality" - which is a very rare disorder and completely unrelated to schizophrenia.