SZ magazine publisher wants to rebrand schizophrenia as MacPhee Syndrome, after himself

Bill MacPhee, the publisher of the quarterly SZ magazine (formerly known as Schizophrenia Digest) has always spoken out about the stigma of the disease and the fear and misunderstanding that it provokes in the public. He wants to change its name to MacPhee Syndrome.

MacPhee started to suffer from schizophrenia in 1987, when he was 24 years old, was hospitalized six times and attempted suicide. But with the help of medication and therapy, he began the publishing company Magpie Media, based in Fort Erie. He has since become a well-known speaker, author and campaigner on the subject of mental wellness. A North American speaking tour, (for which he is doing an indiegogo online fundraiser) has among its goals the rebranding of the brain disorder.

MacPhee told the Toronto Star recently

“I’ve been trying to break the stigma for 20 years and give people the facts. But the great wall is not coming down. It’s time to change tactics.”