“Don’t let stigma stop you from building something beautiful.”

In recognition of World Schizophrenia Awareness Day, we spoke with Kate Purcell – an East Metropolitan Health Service (EMHS) staff member working at Midland Community Mental Health. 
 
As a Peer Recovery Worker, Kate draws on her lived experience with schizoaffective disorder to support others on their recovery journeys. She's also an author (having written a book on overcoming anorexia and schizoaffective disorder), a public speaker, and passionate mental health advocate who brings honesty, warmth and a sense of fun to everything she does.
 
In this special Q&A, Kate shares how she moved from a challenging diagnosis to a life filled with purpose, connection and joy – and why challenging stigma is just as important as treatment.
 
Q: Can you tell us about yourself and when you were first diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder?

Kate: I wear a few different hats – author, speaker, peer worker and full-blown drum and bass fanatic. I genuinely love who I am, and I say that proudly, despite having a diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder.

I was diagnosed 14 years ago. The first year was tough, finding the right medication and navigating stigma was exhausting but the 13 years since have been incredible. I have a partner of six years, a mortgage, and the most beautiful fur baby. I’ve gone from having only two friends at the time of my diagnosis to now being surrounded by a wonderful, supportive circle. I’ve worked in mental health for over a decade, focusing on peer support, group facilitation, advocacy, and alcohol and other drugs (AOD) counselling. And I always prioritise fun because life’s too short not to.

Q: What were the first signs that something wasn’t quite right?

Kate: I never heard voices or experienced auditory hallucinations, but I did have intense tactile hallucinations. It felt like a strange energy crawling on my skin, which led me to take multiple showers at once. There was also a terrifying sense that I was being controlled by something which I still don’t really understand. I was obsessed with angel and psychics and reading from angel cards was an obsession within itself.

I was also quite disconnected from my feelings. You could almost say I was “off with the fairies” – yet I didn’t realise this until I found a sense of connection to my feelings, after I had started taking anti-psychotic medication. 

I remember one day, it all just hit me like a tonne of bricks. So, I called my dad and said, “I need help”.

Q: How did you feel when you received your diagnosis?

Kate: It was overwhelming, sure but also a huge relief. Things suddenly made sense. My parents were actually really happy, because finally, we had a name for what was happening and a way forward for treatment and healing.

Q: How would you explain schizoaffective disorder to someone unfamiliar with it?

Kate: It’s essentially a combination of schizophrenia and a mood disorder – either depression or mania. In my case, I experienced a three-month manic episode before the full-blown schizophrenic symptoms emerged. 

Schizophrenia looks different for everyone, but common symptoms include hallucinations and delusions. There's often a link to spirituality, which definitely played a role in my experience.

Q: What’s a typical day for you? Does the disorder impact your daily life?

Kate: Thankfully, it doesn’t impact my daily life now, and I’m very grateful for that. I usually start my day early with a high-intensity bike class at the gym, which helps manage the weight gain side effect of my medication. Confidence can get you a long way, so I prioritise this.

I work in mental health, and while no day is perfect, I always find something positive in each one. After work, I go home to my partner and our fur baby, cook dinner, unwind, listen to music (Beastie Boys as well as drum and bass are my go-to’s), hang out with friends, or write. I’m currently working on my third book, and my first was published earlier this year!

Q: What coping strategies have helped you most in tough times?

Kate: Exercise is a big one, it’s non-negotiable for me. I also focus a lot on self-care and self-compassion. That means doing things that nourish me and leaning into a spiritual perspective, even though spirituality was a bit tangled with my illness early on. And of course, reaching out to the amazing friends I have when I need support.

Q: What do you think people misunderstand most about schizophrenia and related disorders?

Kate: The biggest myth is that people think it means having multiple personalities, which is completely untrue. Another damaging assumption is that people with schizophrenia are dangerous. That couldn’t be further from the truth. 

Most people I’ve met with this diagnosis are kind, gentle, compassionate, and incredibly resilient. These disorders are deeply misunderstood, which is why I’m so passionate about sharing my story. We’re just like everyone else, we want love, joy, connection, purpose. Stigma only holds us back.

Q: Why is World Schizophrenia Day important to you?

Kate:  It creates space for learning and helps reduce stigma. It’s also a chance to acknowledge the very real experiences of people living with psychotic illness and, importantly, to associate the word hope with that experience. That’s how we move forward.

Q: What message would you share with the public about living with this condition?

Kate: You can live a dream life. Don’t let stigma stop you from building something beautiful. Take small steps, keep showing up, keep pushing your comfort zone. I’ve done exactly that, and my life is full of joy. Yes, there are challenges, but you can still thrive, grow, and live well.

Q: How has your experience shaped the person you are today?

Kate: Honestly, I don’t think I’d be as happy as I am today if I hadn’t gone through what I did. It’s given me perspective and a profound sense of gratitude for life. Every single day.

Q: And finally, what are your hopes for the future—both personally and in terms of how society views mental illness?

Kate: Personally, I’d love to get married, publish two more books, and keep doing work that lights me up. I want to deepen friendships, have more fun, and travel the world. And yes – a TEDx talk is still on the bucket list! (I actually made the top 20 back in 2017)