ABSTRACT
Mental illnesses are two words that create a lot of confusion as they encompass a plethora of issues, from emotional depression through to psychosis that requires full-time care. In New Zealand today it is estimated that 1 in 4 people will suffer from a mental illness at some point in their lives. It is estimated that 38 per cent of Europeans, 62 per cent of Mori, 59 per cent of Asians, and 59 per cent of Pacific Islanders will be diagnosed with a psychotic disorder, such as schizophrenia, in their lifetime. For five years after my diagnosis the author was placed on medication after medication, He was kept in psych wards for varying lengths of time, and my every action was viewed through the symptoms of my illness. The simple fact of the matter is that people do not know how to respond to mental illness.
