Psychosis, including schizophrenia, is a severe mental illness impacting about 23 million people worldwide and is characterized by distortions in thinking, perception, emotions, sense of self, and behavior. Those who have these illnesses can experience hallucinations and delusions starting in late adolescence or early adulthood, making it difficult for people to work, study, or interact socially. Due to stigma and discrimination, many who experience these mental illnesses do not have access to adequate health and social support (sometimes leading to housing insecurity), which could help treat the disorder.
