Sir, - A recent sports report headlined "Terenure dither but win" began: "In a schizophrenic performance Terenure College ... " This is a misuse of the word schizophrenia and is a major source of distress to our members. Schizophrenia is not having a split personality or "being in two minds" about something.
Schizophrenia is the most severe mental illness which affects one in 100 people in Ireland. Yet it is a silent illness, with fear, stigma and discrimination ensuring there are multiple layers of disadvantages for this sector. People with schizophrenia and their carers have many urgent needs. From the media point of view, we need fairer, more balanced coverage of this illness. - Yours, etc.,
Administrator, Schizophrenia Ireland, Blessington Street, Dublin 7.