Sheikh Khalifa Medical City Pushes Awareness of Schizophrenia on World Mental Health Day

Patients and Public Invited for Community Activities

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates:  Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC), managed by Cleveland Clinic, is urging the public to increase their awareness of schizophrenia on World Mental Health Day.

Organised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) every year, this year’s theme was “Living with Schizophrenia” which targets raising awareness of issues related to this illness, as well as mobilizing efforts to support sufferers.

Schizophrenia typically begins in late adolescence or early adulthood. Often, people with this illness face difficult and at times debilitating symptoms, and also find that society stigmatizes and isolates them.

“Despite the stigma, schizophrenia is a highly treatable disease and in most cases, people affected by it can lead a productive life and integrate well into society. But, lack of awareness deprives a patient from effective and timely treatment. Many families hesitate to approach mental health services as a result of this stigma,” said Dr. Tarek Darwish, consultant psychiatrist and chair of psychiatry, Behavioural Sciences Pavilion.

To combat this stigma and lack of awareness, SKMC organised a community campaign at Khalidiya Mall with educational materials and pamphlets, giveaways, and children’s activities.

SKMC is part of the SEHA HealthSystem and is owned and operated by Abu Dhabi Health Services Company PJSC (SEHA), which is responsible for the curative activities of all the public hospitals and clinics in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.