Understanding schizophrenia
Posted 27 April 2012
Nicky Carey has good days and bad days, but he ‘never stops' pursuing his passion for art.
Nicky also has schizophrenia—a mental illness that has shaped his life. Nicky's art was on show during Schizophrenia Awareness Week.
Nicky's story
Nicky Carey grew up in Ireland, and was fascinated by mythological stories shared by his childhood teachers.
Freudian and Jungian psychology now inspires his art in its different forms—as well as his poetry.
‘I've been painting and drawing since I was about 6 or 7,' he says.
‘I dream things, and lots of times I write down a word. That can turn into a poem the next day or a picture. The paintings are visual poems really, and the poems are a visual narrative.'
Living with mental illness
Nicky has schizophrenia, a mental illness. He says his art has helped him through highs and lows in his life—including a period he experienced after leaving hospital in a recent year.
‘When I came out of hospital, I felt totally lost and abandoned,' says Nicky.
‘I was really sick and confused.'
Having lost his job, Nicky discussed with his wife the idea of studying art therapy, and he soon enrolled in a Diploma of Transpersonal Art Therapy at IKON Institute.
‘I always wanted to do art therapy,' says Nicky.
‘In one way, it has sorted my life out. It has given me the confidence that I can be with someone going through this journey (of living with mental illness). Using all types of art is a really constructive and positive way to lift you from mental illness and to bring you on a journey of new discovery.'
Inspiring others
Nicky's work was on show in the Mental Illness Fellowship of Queensland's annual art exhibition as part of Schizophrenia Awareness Week during May.
He says he hopes even one person who visited the exhibition identified with his work—and a deeper theme throughout it that reflects his own life experience.
‘In the adversity of all mental illness, there are some good things,' says Nicky.
‘It is not all negative. There is light and colour.'
What is schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia is a mental illness that affects the functioning of the brain. It is characterised by psychotic symptoms, and a reduced range of emotions that a person communicates with others.
The Mental Illness Fellowship of Australia has a fact sheet, Understanding schizophrenia, that provides more detailed information. You may also like to watch videos on its YouTube channel.
What support is available for Queenslanders with a mental illness?
Nearly 1 in 5, or about 20%, of Queenslanders experience mental illness in any given year.
If you believe that you, or a person you care for, may have a mental illness, support is available to help you.
- If someone's life is in immediate danger, phone Triple Zero (000).
- For urgent support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the Salvo Care Line on 1300 36 36 22. Counsellors are available 24 hours a day.
- The Mental Illness Fellowship of Australia has 2 member organisations in Queensland: the Mental Illness Fellowship of Queensland (MIFQ), which provides services across south and central Queensland; and the Mental Illness Fellowship of North Queensland (MIFNQ), which provides services across north Queensland. Services and support are available for people living with schizophrenia and other serious mental illnesses-including depression, anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder and bipolar disorder; as well as their families and carers. Contact details for offices in south and central Queensland, and in north Queensland, are available.
Our mental health and wellbeing section includes further advice about getting help, and related topics.
