Patients with Schizophrenia Need a New Perspective and Social Justice

The Vice-Chancellor of Treatment and Rehabilitation at the University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences emphasized the urgent need to reform outdated perceptions of chronic mental health patients, particularly those with schizophrenia. He stated that incorrect beliefs and institutionalized attitudes still dominate the treatment of these patients.

According to a report from the university's web news team, Dr. Mohammad Reza Khodai Ardakani, during the opening ceremony of the World Schizophrenia Day Conference with a focus on rehabilitation, highlighted that “the purpose of commemorating this day is to honor and support schizophrenia patients, but old and mistaken views about mental health patients still prevail in society.”

He added, “Schizophrenia, like other illnesses, should be understood and treated as a medical condition. However, we have yet to achieve the necessary insight and accurate understanding in this regard.”

Dr. Khodai emphasized that “mental health patients and those with schizophrenia are often mistaken for being incapable or disabled, and it is essential to correct this misconception. Unfortunately, the necessary beliefs and understanding are lacking, and new perspectives are very faint.”

He also pointed out that “therapists and caregivers lack sufficient insight to improve the current situation, and outdated, institutionalized beliefs still influence the treatment process.”

A psychiatry professor further stated that “mental health patients have strengths as well as challenges. Focusing solely on their shortcomings is not the most effective approach. The main issue for chronically ill mental health patients is inequality, and society’s resources should be distributed fairly and evenly so that these patients can reintegrate into society based on their capacity and abilities.”