Courses · Mental Health & Positive Outcomes
Supporting a Person Living with Schizophrenia
Understand schizophrenia beyond the myths, support someone experiencing psychosis calmly and respectfully, and watch for medication effects and early signs of relapse.
About this certificate
This is a non-accredited professional development module and the Certificate of Completion is not a Statement of Attainment. It does not qualify you to diagnose, assess risk formally, or provide therapy. Clinical decisions about diagnosis, medication and treatment belong to the person and their treating team. In an emergency call 000; for crisis support call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
About this module
Schizophrenia is one of the most misunderstood conditions in the community. This module explains what it is and is not, positive, negative and cognitive symptoms, what psychosis is like from the inside, how to respond to hallucinations and unusual beliefs without arguing or colluding, antipsychotic medication and its physical health effects including clozapine safety, relapse signatures, and supporting recovery, housing, work, relationships and physical health.
Who it is for
Support workers, SIL staff and psychosocial recovery workers supporting a participant living with schizophrenia or another psychotic disorder.
What you will be able to do
- Describe schizophrenia accurately and challenge common myths
- Recognise positive, negative and cognitive symptoms
- Respond to hallucinations and unusual beliefs calmly and respectfully
- Recognise antipsychotic side effects and the importance of physical health monitoring
- Identify early warning signs of relapse and respond appropriately
Aligned to
- NDIS Practice Standards — Provision of Supports
- National Framework for Recovery-Oriented Mental Health Services
- RANZCP Clinical Practice Guidelines for Schizophrenia and Related Disorders
Lesson plan
What the module covers
| # | Lesson | What it covers | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | What schizophrenia is — and is not | Symptoms, causes, and the myths that do real damage. | 12m |
| 02 | Supporting someone experiencing psychosis | Calm, respect, and not arguing — or agreeing. | 12m |
| 03 | Medication and physical health | Antipsychotics, clozapine safety, and the physical health gap. | 11m |
| ✓ | Final assessment | 10 scenario-based questions · pass mark 80% · unlimited attempts | ~15m |
Also in Mental Health & Positive Outcomes
Introducing Mental Health
Understand mental health, mental illness and psychosocial disability, work in a recovery-oriented and trauma-informed way, and respond safely when someone is in distress or at risk.
Bipolar Disorder
Understand mania, hypomania and bipolar depression, support stability through routine, and recognise lithium toxicity and early warning signs before a crisis.
Personality Disorder
Understand personality disorders — especially borderline personality disorder — without stigma, respond well to self-harm and crisis, and hold consistent, compassionate boundaries.