Schizophrenia can severely reduce the quality of life of an individual, which may be a result of adverse reactions to the antipsychotic medication, lack of social support networks, financial difficulties and the stigma associated with the condition.

​

Therefore, the support required for patients with schizophrenia needs to be broader than antipsychotic treatment. A range of other interventions and advice are crucial to the recovery and quality of life of the patient such as social support, good housing, employment, education or other meaningful activities that are central to achieving well-being. 

​

Further information is available from MIND (www.mind.org.uk) and Rethink (www.rethink.org), which provide access to local self-help groups and practical advice. In addition, more information can be accessed using the following factsheets by Rethink:

 

• Work and mental illness
• Studying and mental illness
• Housing and mental illness
• Disability living allowance
• Employment and support allowance
• Driving and mental illness