Cameron Solnordal is many things to many people - father, son, photographer, writer.
He also happens to live with schizophrenia.
The diagnosis came at 24, after a case of workplace bullying made him overly paranoid, made him see things that weren't there.
The stereotypes were the scariest part but they bore no relation to reality.
"It was a very alarming thing, like a big locked door with the words 'mental illness' scrawled across in red crayon.
"Even the word schizophrenia is very violent sounding - there was no way I was going to disclose that word at work, it would've completely freaked everyone out."
A new report on Tuesday by SANE Australia and Getty Images has expressed concern about the way mental illness is visually portrayed in Australia, particularly associations with violence.
The Picture This survey of 5000 people, most of whom have experience with mental illness, found the majority want images that show how anyone can be affected and the hidden struggle that's usually masked.
Of six images representing mental illness, a photo of pills was selected as the least fair and accurate representation.
SANE chief executive Jack Heath said the survey showed Australians wanted images of real people, that conveyed a sense of both struggle and hope.
Fifteen years on from his diagnosis, Mr Solnordal is nothing like the stereotypes suggest he should be, and he wouldn't change his brain for anything.
"The illness lends itself to me thinking differently... in a creative environment, that's nothing but positive."
He hopes the report will start to turn the page on the stigma around his illness.
"People have been told to be afraid," he said.
"If we could just get people to see that it's completely different to the stereotype."
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