To raise awareness on World Schizophrenia Day, we’re asking our Consumer Commissioner, Maggie Toko, a few questions...
Kia ora. My name is Maggie Toko. I’m the Consumer Commissioner for the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission. Today, I’m going to talk about World Schizophrenia Awareness Day. I’m going to talk about what it means for me to have schizophrenia.
45 S: Tell us about your personal journey... What helps your recovery?
What it means for me is that I hear voices 24/7 I have thoughts with those voices which are quite harmful. I am unable to watch TV because I get messages in the television programme I can't go to the movies because I get messages in the movies.
In earlier years, I found it quite debilitating and was unable to manage my wellness as much as I would’ve liked to. I spent probably 15 years going in and out of hospital being very unwell. But always, during that time, my employers were really supportive of my mental health. They were able to make time for me to rest or relax or change my hours of work and employment for me, has meant that my recovery has been so much better.
I was able to maintain going to see a psychotherapist, was able to mix with other people outside of my immediate family to get connection and support and all those things really helped me and I know that other people who have schizophrenia in the community, its really helped them as well.
What are some myths around schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia is like any other diagnosis.
In terms of discrimination, schizophrenia is seen as portrayed in media dangerous as being dangerous or harmful when in actual fact people with schizophrenia are more likely to be harmed by society and other people. Than they are to harm someone else.
What can discrimination look like?
I’ve experienced discrimination in the early years, going of different positions in organisations. One position that I was going for was a team leader and I was told that they were really worried about my schizophrenia and that I wouldn’t be able to handle the stress of the job. I mean – that’s discrimination! You know, it’s not on! I didn’t get the job cause they thought they were doing the best thing for me. They didn’t actually give me a choice. That’s discrimination.
What can the community do to better support people with Schizophrenia?
Given the right supports and the right community around them, they’re able to live a life just like anybody else. They’re able to have a mortgage, they’re able to have family, they’re able to have children, they’re able to hold down a job. There’s no reason for somebody with schizophrenia to not have those opportunities like everyone else. Its whether society and the community are prepared to give them that opportunity… and that’s what I’d like to see change
What message would you like to share on World Schizophrenia Day?
I’d like to say – its not the sum of what you are. You are more than that. You are the son, daughter, the mother, the sister, the brother, the grandparent of people who care for you. It’s Ok. Don’t carry that stigma around. You don’t have to.
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