To the average layman that means having a split personality -- someone who hears voices and switches from rational to irrational in a heartbeat.

Basically, laymen think schizophrenics are dangerous no-hopers who should be institutionalised to protect them and society from each other. That's the stereotype, and it is wrong, according to Mr. Glenn Casey, liaison officer of the Bermuda Schizophrenic Society.

"Schizophrenia is a brain disease caused by a deficiency in brain chemistry,'' he explained. "People commonly refer to it as a split personality, which it is not. Nor is it caused by a bad childhood or street drugs, although drugs may trigger it.'' In fact, some schizophrenics recover from the disease.

"About 25 percent will recover, while another 25 percent will improve with treatment and be relatively independent in their living functions,'' Mr. Casey confirmed. "Another 25 will require extensive community support, and only about 15 percent will probably show no significant improvement and require hospitalisation. Just ten percent are prone to suicide.'' While admitting that there was no cure for this disease, Mr. Casey -- a registered psychiatric nurse -- said that "most often'' it could be treated.

"Most of today's medications are non-addictive, and most are effective for symptom control,'' he said. "There are side effects related to medication which can also be treated.'' For those not institutionalised, a key to functioning well in society was the support they received from others -- which was partly why the Bermuda Schizophrenic Society, a support group for schizophrenics and their families, was formed.

"Most schizophrenics require support,'' Mr. Casey said. "They live with their families, or in other forms of supportive housing. Some of my clients hold jobs and continue to function.'' In fact, Mr. Casey said Bermuda's population of institutionalised schizophrenics was actually decreasing. Instead -- like jurisdictions elsewhere -- there was a growing demand for more community support services to maintain their quality of life.

"Although the Society advocates housing these people in the community, there is the wider focus of mental health in general,'' he said.

As a result, the Bermuda Schizophrenic Society, in conjunction with the health care professionals, had, for the past 18 months, provided a drop-in centre for clients with mental problems at the Angle Street Youth Centre.

"The focus is primarily on the homeless with mental health problems,'' Mr.

Casey noted. "It is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. two days a week, and is run in conjunction with the Community Service Team, which comprises psychologists, social workers, occupational therapists and psychiatric nurses.'' Designed to attract those who shun professional services in more conventional settings, Mr. Casey said the centre offered a mixture of counselling, recreational activities and a meal.

"People can also get advice on a wide range of social issues that they may be experiencing and told how to get the appropriate help,'' he said. "I find this has been far more effective in developing an empathy with their needs.

"One of the main aims is to get them to be aware of their illness and to know that, even though they have it, it does not deny them the ability to function.

"We try not to push the medical side too rigidly because this is what the clients don't want,'' Mr. Casey continued. "We allow them to approach us with concerns and issues which are affecting their lives, such as being homeless, and feeling hopeless and depressed because they cannot get employment. In such instances we advise them how to work out some of these things.'' Some of this work is done with assistance of volunteers from the Bermuda Schizophrenic Society.

The Society was founded two and a half years ago by Mrs. Geri Marshall, and is associated with the worldwide Fellowship of Schizophrenic Societies, of which Mrs. Marshall was president.

While its initial mission was to heighten public awareness about the disease as well as be a support group, the Society is now forging ahead with bigger plans.

"Historically, there were many myths and stigmas attached to mental illness, but through education the stigma has been minimised and as a result the Society has received tremendous volunteer support with the aim of establishing appropriate facilities for schizophrenics,'' its public relations spokesperson, Mrs. Judy Stange, explained.

"We are presently working on day care facilities where people can feel they belong, re-establish a sense of purpose, and most importantly know that they can do something useful in society.

"Our ultimate goal is to have a housing facility similar to Hope Homes, where clients could stay on a more permanent basis.'' To this end, the Society has a keen eye for fund-raising, of which its annual ten-mile October walkathon was one event.

At Christmastime, Mr. Norbert Stange organises and finances a festive dinner for schizophrenics, in which other charities participate, and plans are now in the works for a Spring jazz dinner at the Ocean View Golf Club.

The Bermuda Schizophrenic Society meets monthly in the conference room of St.

Brendan's Hospital, and also has an extensive lending library of relavant literature. For further information telephone the Society Hotline (291-0663 voice mail), Mr. Glenn Casey at 236-3770 ext. 234, Melody at 231-8475, or Judy at 292-0775.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE . . . Members of the Bermuda Schizophrenic Society, Mrs.

Judy Stange and Mr. Glen Casey, are among many volunteers who work hard to improve the lot of persons with the brain disease and provide support to their families.