What is the Partnership Program?A public education model to bring awareness to the illness of schizophrenia.In early 1998, the Schizophrenia Society of Saskatchewan developed and began to introduce a provincial public awareness program aimed at reducing the stigma and misconceptions attached to the biological illness of the brain called schizophrenia and to those directly affected. The approach to public education is unique in this case as it involves a shared team of educators including a client (someone who suffers with schizophrenia), a family member who has a relative with this disorder and a mental health professional and is referred to as the “Partnership Program”.As of May, 2010 ~ 2,042 presentations have been delivered to 56,041 people. Several of these presentations have been given to students in both high school systems in Regina and Saskatoon. Demands for these presentations are increasing, and the feedback from the audiences have been very positive. Students feel there is no better way to learn about an illness like schizophrenia than by hearing the life stories of people directly affected. The person with schizophrenia describes living and coping with the disease, and the family member describes the impact on the family unit when a loved one becomes stricken with the disease. The mental health professional provides a clinical overview of schizophrenia and covers the more technical areas of assessment, treatment and rehabilitation needs of those affected. It is our intention to establish the Partnership Program across Saskatchewan. We welcome any organizations, agencies or support groups who would like to learn more about schizophrenia to seriously consider requesting a presentation by team members of the Partnership Program. Please Help us Spread the Word Do you know of any group who might be interested in hearing one of our presentations? A PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM PRESENTATIONSchizophrenia is a biological disease of the brain. The disease affects one percent of the world’s population. There are approximately 10,000 people throughout Saskatchewan living with the disease. Up to forty percent of those with schizophrenia attempt suicide and ten to fifteen percent of these people lose their lives to the disease. Those affected by the illness face a large amount of stigma because of the misconceptions linked to the disease. There are various symptoms that go hand in hand with schizophrenia such as: delusions, hallucinations which can be an alteration of any of the five senses, paranoia, chronic depression, chronic fatigue syndrome, blunted feelings, and loss of concentration. These symptoms cause the person, afflicted with the illness, to feel much fear and a sense of hopelessness. Then there are the many side effects caused by the medications used to treat this disease that must be managed. There is no known cure for schizophrenia but it is a treatable illness. There are new medications and therapies that are helping those who are ill to lead a stable and productive life. There are many issues surrounding this disease such as treatment, addictions, justice, support, social acceptance, housing, employment, education, medications, programs and therapies.
WHAT DOES THE PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM DO?The Partnership Program is a public awareness group that goes into the community to give in depth presentations about the disease. The Partnership Program’s goals are to promote schizophrenia as a treatable biological disease of the brain, to reduce the stigma, myths and fears associated with the illness, and to put a face on the disease by focusing on people rather than the diagnosis. Our target audiences are high schools, universities, health related agencies, nursing students, social workers, corporations, police recruits/officers, judges, educators, service agencies, and other various groups. Each presentation takes approximately one hour. However, we can shorten or lengthen our presentation to suit the needs of your group.
Every presentation consists of three people that present a different side of the illness. Firstly, we have a stabilized person living with schizophrenia that tells the audience about their battle and experience with the disease. Secondly, a family member shares their story of what they saw happen to their loved one and of the effect that the illness has had on the family. Thirdly, a health professional presents the facts, myths, causes, treatments, and statistics surrounding the disease. Our health professional also addresses the issue of dual diagnosis or drug and alcohol addiction. We can also include an interactive exercise or an audio of auditory hallucinations more commonly referred to as hearing voices. Finally, each presentation allows time for the audience to ask our panel questions, and all those in attendance are given literature. These presentations are given without cost and with the hope that they will bring greater understanding to those attending, however we will gratefully accept assistance with travel costs. We also accept donations if people wish to help us fund our programs or give money to research.
WHO NEEDS TO HEAR THIS? All people need to hear this presentation because most people have little idea of what the disease is really about. The Partnership Program team wishes to speak to your group as well as anyone affiliated with your organization that may benefit from hearing a presentation. Your group will benefit from hearing our presentation because they will hear firsthand about what it is like to live with schizophrenia. Chances are that there are people in your organization dealing with the challenges of living with schizophrenia. The general public needs to know more about schizophrenia because they need to be aware of how to identify the symptoms and how to seek help.
We simply require one to two weeks notice when booking a presentation. Also note that we will speak to an audience of any size. Please remember that it is people like you that can make a positive difference in the lives of those affected by schizophrenia and in the lives of those that care for them. To book a presentation in Saskatoon and area you can contact Curtis Harman at (306) 374-2224. In Regina and area contact Jackie Just at 306-584-0755. Further contact can be made by calling:
Jackie Just, Coordinator for the Regina and Area Partnership Program Phone: (306) 584-0755 Regina, SK Email: jjust@sasktel.net |
