The most obvious mental illness; Schizophrenia is a multi-dimensional disorder. It is an ancient and challenging illness having a long and interesting past. In the middle of the 18th century it was acknowledged by the researchers that Psychotics were to be considered as unfortunate sick patients and not as persons possessed by devils or evil spirits nor as guilty persons who were forced to suffer on account of their sins. Cruelty to them was acknowledged to be a great sin. Considering schizophrenics as sick persons implied caring for them in institutions organized in the same way as hospitals for sick persons. Many of the patients who were discharged from 'asylum' and admitted to the hospitals have shown amazingly good results. The main consequences were astonishing considering that Psychiatrists recognized their obligation as regards-to search for efficient medicines.

In the past few decades, our understanding of the mental illness has made a remarkable progress. It has been established that they not only need medical care, but they need to be involved in community care. This knowledge has resulted in demand for community centers, a home away from home, where through medical care, occupational therapy and therapeutic counseling, patients regain their self confidence and rediscover their inner strength. (ATMAVISWAS VIDYALAYA is one such community center).

The above terms are used to refer to psychological patterns that occur in an individual and are usually associated with distress or disability that is not expected as part of normal developments, behavior and culture.

Persons suffering from them are not able to control the disruptive feelings that arise from within them; feelings they consider as provoked by those with whom they live. It is a complex mental condition in which a patient perceives a distorted reality and is usually unaware that he or she is sick.

They have great difficulty in functioning as responsible and humane person. Their awareness is concentrated on one desire and hence they remain closed to any other possibility.

They have lost capacity to feel emotions and ability to reason logically. Mental illness generally strike just as a young person is on threshold of living on his own.