Understanding Schizophrenia

Psychosis conditons, including Schizophrenia , are treatable mental health problems that can affect anyone
although very few people talk about the conditons and their impact on families.
This Understanding Schizophrenia Awareness course develops understanding of what Schizophrenia is, what
causes it and how it can be treated.
This course provides a comprehensive introduction to schizophrenia and psychosis, designed for professionals
and carers who support individuals experiencing psychotic illness. It explores the clinical, psychological, and
social dimensions of schizophrenia, with a strong emphasis on practical understanding, person-centred
support, and improving quality of life.

Anyone who works with someone that has been diagnosed with Schizophrenia will benefit from this course.
This could include mental health workers, care support staff and anyone else working in the care sector.
This course teaches staff a range of strategies to help them with communicaton and enabling people to
understand what is going on around them and to manage their emotons in a positve way.

Aims and Learning Objectives
By the end of the course, participants will be able to:
• Identify strategies to improve outcomes and quality of life
• Explain why schizophrenia is classified as a psychotic disorder
• Identify key causes and risk factors associated with schizophrenia
• Understand diagnostic processes and early indicators
• Describe core symptoms of psychosis, including hearing voices
• Recognise the impact of psychosis on physical health
• Understand how antipsychotic medication works and its effects
• Apply PBS and trauma-informed approaches to create supportive environments
• Identify strategies to improve quality of life and recovery outcomes