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Welcome from the President

The Schizophrenia Society of Canada exists to improve the quality of life for those affected by schizophrenia and psychosis through education, support programs, public policy and research. Using a federation model, the Schizophrenia Society of Canada works with provincial Schizophrenia Societies to improve the lives of individuals living with schizophrenia, as well as their families.

Schizophrenia and psychosis are characterized by delusions, hallucinations, disturbances in thinking and withdrawal from social activity. Although they are serious mental illnesses, schizophrenia and psychosis are treatable and most people do go on to live lives of recovery. Thus, we support the Mental Health Commission of Canada in creating a national recovery-oriented mental health system in our country.

While the exact causes of schizophrenia specifically are still a mystery, it is believed the illness is caused by a biochemical imbalance. Fortunately today there are various treatment options and community supports and services to assist those with the lived experience of schizophrenia and psychosis to move forward in recovery.

Mental illness like schizophrenia and psychosis can impact anyone. Schizophrenia specifically usually develops into a full-blown illness in late adolescence or early adulthood and affects an estimated 1 in 100 Canadians and their families. You can read more about the illness from our brochure, "What is Schizophrenia?"

We trust this web site will be helpful to you as you journey forward in your understanding of schizophrenia and psychosis. We encourage you to visit the web sites of the provincial schizophrenia societies where you will find valuable resources, supports and services.

Jim Adamson, President

HELP GET BILL C-304 PASSED!

The first round of third reading debate on Bill C-304 - draft legislation to create a new national housing plan for Canada – has been postponed from its scheduled start on May 5th to sometime in June. The bill has already passed first and second reading in the House of Commons, and has been amended at committee. Advocates pressing for the bill say that the delay in third reading debate gives an opportunity for supporters to contact their Members of Parliament and urge passage of the long-overdue and much-needed national housing strategy.

SSC encourages our members and all Canadians concerned about affordable housing and homelessness to take advantage of this opportunity to contact your members of parliament in the coming weeks and express your support for this important piece of legislation. Click here for a sample letter you can use.

Bill C-304 requires that the housing strategy include financial assistance for those who are otherwise unable to afford housing and targets and timetables to eliminate homelessness. In compliance with recommendations from the United Nations to Canada, the strategy will also include a process for independent monitoring of progress made and a complaints procedure to address possible violations of the right to adequate housing.

It is estimated that between 150,000 and 300,000 people experience homelessness every year in Canada. Bill C-304 mandates particular attention to the homeless, the elderly, persons with disabilities, families with children, Aboriginal communities, and those experiencing violence.

I urge all members of SSC and citizens concerned about the homelessness crisis in this country to garner the support of your MP for Bill C-304.

Chris Summerville
Chief Executive Officer
Schizophrenia Society of Canada

Jim Adamson, President and his wife Bernadette

Letter from the SSCS President Regarding the Key Messages Survey

Canada-Wide Survey Addresses Ways to Improve Quality of Life for Canadians Living with Mental Illness…

VIEW THE PROVINCIAL SUPPLEMENT

VIEW THIS REPORT IN FRENCH

Schizophrenia: The Journey To Recovery

The SSC is pleased to announce a new resource that provides consumers and family members with plain-language information on the clinical treatment of schizophrenia.

Schizophrenia: A Journey to Recovery -- A Consumer and Family Guide to Assessment and Treatment was produced through a partnership between the SSC and the Canadian Psychiatric Association (CPA). The project adapted the CPA's Clinical Guidelines for the Treatment of Schizophrenia into a user-friendly format to assist consumers and families as they navigate their way through assessment and treatment of the illness.

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