The Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia Information Session

The Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia

Information Session

Wednesday, Sept 7th, 2011

7:00 pm to 9:00 pm

11728, Route 16

Boylston Community Centre

Guysborough County

Purpose

With your help, the Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia (SSNS) is

working to establish a community-based, volunteer-led family support

group in Guysborough County. The Society invites you to a town-hall

meeting to learn about the SSNS and its chapters, and to discuss

opportunities for a support group or program in your area.

The meeting is intended for family members and supporters of

individuals affected by schizophrenia or another mental disorder, as well

as people living with or who have experienced mental illness, service

providers, and other interested parties.

Refreshments will be provided.

If you have any questions regarding this event, please contact Hilary

Thorne at 1-800-465-2601, or by emailing hilary.thorne@bellaliant.com.

Website: www.ssns.ca | Web Blog: www.blog.ssns.ca

SSNS Information Session

Dear Member of the SSNS:

You might be interested to know that the SSNS will hold an Information Session in Guysborough County.

Wednesday, September 7th, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Boylston Community Centre,  11728 Route 16

The meeting is intended for family members and supporters of individuals affected by schizophrenia or another mental disorder, as well as people living with or who have experienced mental illness, service providers, and other interested parties. 

Thank you,

Hilary

The From Recovery to Discovery Peer Support Group

The From Recovery to Discovery Peer Support Group

presents

The Importance of Peer Support

TOMORROW, Thursday, August 25^th, 2011

6:30 pm to 8:30 pm

The Hub

2nd Floor, 1673 Barrington Street

Halifax, Nova Scotia

The From Recovery to Discovery Peer Support Group is open to anyone affected by mental illness, either directly or indirectly.

FREE!

We have chosen to use a peer-support model, not only because peer support is an example of the kind of self-determination that occurs in recovery, but also because peer support can transform lives.  The overall goal of theFrom Recovery to Discovery Peer Support Group is to increase your ability to meet your personal recovery goals by enhancing your self-determination and quality of life.

This week will be devoted to a peer support group meeting during which we will discuss the goals of peer support, as well as answering six questions designed to establish the value of the From Recovery to Discovery Peer Support Group to your recovery journey.

Is the From Recovery to Discovery Peer Support Group …

1.      Providing you with the opportunity to explore the many aspects of recovery?

2.      Allowing you to explore the role of personal goals in your recovery journey?

3.      Giving you the knowledge and tools that you need to be active in managing your illness and recovery?

4.      Modelling hope and recovery by using a peer-support approach?

5.      Providing an opportunity for you to reflect on and plan for your recovery journey?

6.      Offering you meaningful time to socialize and have fun?

Adapted from Your Recovery Journey: Guide for Facilitators, page 11.

The From Recovery to Discovery Peer Support Group is organized as a partnership between the Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia and the Healthy Minds Cooperative.

The Kings County Chapter of the SSNS Presents

The Kings County Chapter of the SSNS

presents

The Honourable Claudette Bradshaw

Project Site Coordinator

At Home/Chez Soi

Moncton Research Demonstration Project

Moncton, New Brunswick

Thursday, September 22nd, 2011, 7:00 pm

New Minas Civic Centre

9209 Commercial Street

New Minas, Nova Scotia

Fluent in both of Canada's official languages, Ms. Bradshaw was born and educated in Moncton, New Brunswick. She worked in the community-based, non-profit sector for twenty-seven years where she developed and operated youth services, community social services, and programs for high risk children and their families.

Ms. Bradshaw has developed strong community networks and alliances across Canada. She was elected as the Member of Parliament for Moncton-Riverview-Dieppe (1997 to 2006); and she served as Minister of Labour, Multiculturalism, Status of Women, Literacy, and Minister responsible for Homelessness Initiatives in Canada. In 2006, Claudette was named to head the New Brunswick Premier’s Task Force On the state of Community Non-Profit Agencies. In 2009, she was appointed a member of the Order of New Brunswick.

Photo credit

Claudette Bradshaw Sept 22 on homelessness

The September information session will be held on Thursday 22^nd (not Wednesday) at 7.00 pm and the speaker will be Claudette Bradshaw who is the Project Site Coordinator in Moncton of the Mental Health Commission of Canada. Her project is homelessness with an emphasis on rural consumers. The information session will be held in the New Minas Civic Centre, Commercial Street, opposite the Canadian Tire Store.

Ms Bradshaw was MP for Moncton and Minister of Labour prior to 2006, with responsibility for Homelessness Initiatives in Canada. In 2006 she was appointed to head the NB Premier’s Task Force on the state of Community Non-Profit Agencies.

An Update In Medications for Psychosis

Written by Dr. David Mulhall

A neuroleptic – specifically beneficial for treatment of psychosis was discovered in the late 1950’s – i.e. Chlorpromazine which was given the trade name Largactil as it had a “large action”.  The introduction of this medication and others following it was associated with a marked reduction in lengths of stay in hospital and a gradual reduction in the number of beds required for psychiatric care throughout the western world.  These medications were called the first generation or typical neuroleptics and continued until 1990 and the most powerful one in this group was Haloperidol.

At that it time is was recognized that  a significant number of patients still had a limited response to conventional treatments including medications and researchers looked at a medication Clozapine which had been used briefly early in the 1970’s but discontinued as had significant side effects.  It was however an extremely effective medication and when reintroduced with strict guidelines and blood count monitoring proved effective for treatment resistant schizophrenia.  It remains the “gold standard” in terms of effectiveness although limited to those who do not benefit from standard medications. 

Following the reintroduction of Clozapine a number of “second generation” neuroleptics were developed which had a significant impact on treatment prescribing practices.  These medications had minimal effects on movement disorders such as tremors or Parkinsonism and were better tolerated by patients.  However had significant metabolic side effects with marked increase in weight, elevated cholesterol and lipids as well as elevated glucose and vulnerability to diabetes.  Overall these medications show a modest benefit compared to the previous first generation antipsychotics such as Haloperidol. 

In recent years the trend amongst new medications coming to market has been a reduction in the metabolic side effects, i.e. weight gain, elevated cholesterol and glucose.  Two agents long available in the U.S. have become available in Canada in the past two years, one Zeldox/ Ziprasidone and two Abilify/Aripiprazole both with minimal effects on weight and glucose and lipid levels.  At present Ziprasidone is funded via Pharmacare but Abilify requires special authorization.

There is a series of additional medications being launched in the U.S. in the past two years including Latuda/Lurasidone again with the emphasis on reduced metabolic side effects. 

There does not appear to be an increase in potency in the newer medications in the past ten years and the largest trial comparing medications head to head, i.e. the CATIE trial confirmed that Clozapine remained the most potent medication followed by Olanzepine followed by Risperidone.

One factor limiting the development of new drugs is the significant cost involved in the process and overall there are significantly less new medications coming to market in all fields of medicine making it likely that we will be utilizing the current range of medications for some years. 

It is important to note that the use of medications is only one avenue of treatment along with significant impact in the development of psychosocial rehabilitation models to maintain individuals at their highest level of functioning and health with the reintroduction of hospitalized patients into the community.  

Mental Health Crusader Michael Schratter Launches the Canadian Home Stretch of his “Ride Don’t Hide” Worldwide Journey inHalifax

Mental Health Crusader Michael Schratter Launches the Canadian
Home Stretch of his “Ride Don’t Hide” Worldwide Journey inHalifax

Halifax, NS – After one year of bicycling around the world, crossing six continents and 30 countries clocking more than 30,000 km, mental health crusader Michael Schratter returns home next week to embark on the Canadian home stretch of his epic “Ride Don’t Hide”journey.

He is riding to battle the stigma and discrimination associated with a mental illness for the one in five Canadians who experience mental illnesses like depression, anxiety disorders and schizophrenia.

Michael’s final challenge: the 10,000 km Canadian home stretch begins in Halifax on August 16, riding coast to coast through the Canadian landscape as the colder weather descends. The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) BC Division is calling on all Canadians to celebrate Michael’s remarkable achievement to date and support him on his journey home by riding along with him, promoting his campaign or by donating to the cause.

To celebrate his homecoming and kick-start his Canadian launch, an event and press conference is planned for Tuesday, August 16 in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.

“Ride Don’t Hide” Canadian home stretch launch press conference:

What:         Mental health crusader Michael Schratter kicks off the Canadian home stretch of his

               “Ride Don’t Hide” world-wide journey  www.ridedonthide.com

When:     Tuesday, August 16 at 11 a.m. AT

Where:    The Bike Pedaler Shop, 25 Portland Street,Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

Who:      Bike Pedaler owner Marc Rickard tunes Michael’s bike up for the journey to come;

Representatives from the Canadian Mental Health Association; Supporters from the mental health and cycling communities.

A Vancouver school teacher and newspaper columnist, Michael began his “Ride Don’t Hide”campaign on August 1, 2010 with the goal of cycling 40,000 km, the distance around the globe, and raising funds for mental illness. All he had was a bike, a knapsack and determination to live out a dream where he could create awareness and help empower people dealing with mental health challenges. He started out in Vancouver, rode down through the west coast of the United States, Mexico and South America, flew over to the east coast of Australia and cycled up through Asia and then hopped over to Europe. He did all of this by taking a year away from his job as a grade five teacher and funded his own expenses as he travelled the globe.

All funds raised locally through events will stay in the community to support the local CMHA Branch.  Funds raised through online donations will be designated for the CMHA BC Division child and youth initiatives. Read Michael’s blog and learn more about the amazing “Ride Don’t Hide” expedition at www.ridedonthide.com  . 

The CMHA BC Division is a charity which promotes the mental health of all British Columbians through community-based programs and services, public education, advocacy, and research. It is part of a network of more than 10,000 CMHA volunteers and staff in over 135 communities across Canada. CMHA BC Division is the sponsoring organization and facilitator for “Ride Don't Hide” events to raise funds and awareness for local CMHA projects. www.cmha.bc.ca

Media Contact:

Yvonne Chiang, BreakThrough Communications Inc., 604-880-5090,

y.chiang@breakthroughpr.com

Canadian Mental Health Association

Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia Membership

The vision of the Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia is:

·        to reach all Nova Scotians who are directly or indirectly affected by schizophrenia;

·        to focus on the individual, not the illness;

·        to promote wellness and recovery; and

·        to reduce the stigma and discrimination so often associated with mental illness.

Mental health is always front and center of all that we do.  This is evident in our education programs and support services, in the information we provide to the public, as well as in our participation as members of advisory boards and committees.  We work in collaboration with all our mental health partners, including the Mental Health Coalition of Nova Scotia and the Mental Health Commission of Canada.

Our core belief is that people with mental illnesses like schizophrenia can live a life of meaning and purpose.  The focus of the Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia is to promote the goal that each individual will be able to return to a quality of life which meets each person's own perception of needs and expectations.

Membership

Annual individual membership is provided with a tax-deductible donation of at least $15.00 to the Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia.

By becoming a member of the Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia (SSNS), you will help support the crucial programs and activities of the Society, and, collectively, we will have a stronger, more effective voice when advocating for changes to legislation and improvements in services.  Your membership will allow you to become part of a community-based network of knowledgeable and dedicated volunteers dedicated to assisting individuals directly affected by schizophrenia, as well as their family members, friends, colleagues, and communities.

The annual membership is valid from September 1st to the following August 31st, and includes email messages exclusive to members, membership with the Schizophrenia Society of Canada (SSC), a subscription to A Future With Hope, invitations to all meetings of SSNS and/or SSC members, reduced fees to SSNS conferences and events, etc.

Chapters of the Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia convene monthly education & support meetings.  Membership with the Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia includes the option to become a member one of the four Chapters of the SSNS (i.e., the Cumberland County Chapter, the HRM Chapter, the Kings County Chapter, or the Lunenburg County Chapter).

Digby County Information Session

Monday August 15th, 2011

7:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Digby Curling Centre

Agenda

1.  Welcome

2.  Overview of the Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia - Stephen 

      Ayer

3.  The Experience of Family Members - Phil and Wendy Rogers

4.  The Kings County Chapter - Roger Cann

5.  Project Summary - Hilary Thorne

6.  Break

7.  Facilitated Group Discussion

• What are some of the daily issues experienced by family members of people who live with mental illness
• How might a family support group help you to address these issues?
• What are some of the daily issues experienced by people who live with mental illness?
• How might a family support group also help individuals living with mental illness?

8.  Question Period

9.  Wrap Up / Evaluation Survey