Welcome to the BC Schizophrenia Society’s e-newsletter! We bring you news from around the province, and keep you informed about all the great work volunteers and staff members across BC are doing to improve the quality of life for people affected by schizophrenia and psychosis.  

If you have comments or questions, or would like to contribute an article to the e-newsletter, contact nsaunders@bcss.org.

Contents:

• Jen and Jarett Celebrate their Wedding Day with Donation to BCSS
• ReachOut Fall Tour
• Mental Health Commission
• Mental Illness Awareness Week is Approaching: September 30-October 6
• Moving Lives Forward Scholarship Winners
• SSC Conference AnnouncementBranch Event Listings 

Jen and Jarett Celebrate their Wedding Day with Donation to MIND

The ReachOUT program is designed to educate youth about early psychosis, and the ReachOUT crew has been very busy touring all over BC and trying to get the word out!  Check out www.reachoutpsychosis.com to find out more.

 Check out the ReachOUT fall schedule! More dates may be added, so be sure to check the website for the most up-to-date information. 

Mental Health CommissionYou made it happen, now be a part of it! A key element of the Mental Health Commission of Canada’s mandate is to reduce stigma and combat the discrimination against people with mental illness and their families. The Commission (MHCC) will implement a 10-year national anti-stigma campaign to promote better understanding of mental illness and help change public attitudes.  In preparation for launching this campaign, the MHCC would like your help in identifying existing anti-stigma and discrimination reduction activities already happening across Canada - in particular, those that are leading the way. The MHCC would also appreciate your input into defining key elements of a strategy to reduce stigma and eliminate discrimination.An online survey has been created which the MHCC hopes you will participate in and share broadly through your networks. The survey is brief and will only take a few minutes of your time. Click here to take the survey. If you would prefer a hard copy version please send an email to Neasa Martin <neasamartin@sympatico.ca> and she will forward one to you. Please complete the survey by August 3rd 2007. A summary of your feedback will inform the thinking of the Board of Directors in implementing its 10-year anti-stigma campaign. A copy of the survey will also be posted on the MHCC website www.mentalhealthcommission.ca.   

Mental Illness Awareness Week

Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW) is an annual national public education campaign designed to help open the eyes of Canadians to the reality of mental illness. The week was established in 1992 by the Canadian Psychiatric Association, and is now coordinated by the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health (CAMIMH) in cooperation with all its member organizations and many other supporters across Canada.  For too long, Canadians with mental illnesses have been in the shadows. Too few Canadians know about the burden of mental illness on our society, and too few sufferers seek help when they need it. Mental Illness Awareness Week seeks to raise awareness of the level of mental illness in Canada; to reduce negative stigma about mental illness amongst the general population and health care professionals; and to promote the positive effects of best practice in prevention, diagnosis and medical treatment.What are YOU doing for Mental Illness Awareness Week? Are you participating in educational fairs? Are you hosting a fundraising event? Do you have a special lecturer coming into your town? Let us know!  

Moving Lives Forward Scholarship Winners

Where on earth will you be in September?  Join delegates and speakers from around the world at the 2007 International Conference – Lighting the Path: Hope in Action in Toronto, Ontario from September 28 to 30^th.  Hosted by the World Fellowship for Schizophrenia & Allied Disorders (WFSAD), in partnership with the Schizophrenia Society of Ontario and the Schizophrenia Society of Canada, the 2007 International Conference has something for everyone!  Concurrent workshops serve three different interest themes: Recovery and Its Challenges; The Medical Perspective; and Culture, Human Rights and Diversity. Plenary and workshop highlights include:•          Dr. Kim Mueser, Ph.D and Dr. Susan McGurk, Ph.D with a workshop based on the unique Thinking Skills for Work program on minimizing the effects of cognitive impairment on work performance. •          Dr. Radha Shankar and Gladys Okoth talking about programs for family involvement.•          Dr. Michael Miran, Ph.D and Dr. Esta Miran, Ed.D with the most current information on brain function and dysfunction.•          Dr. James Kennedy, Dr. Robin Murray, Dr. Robert Zipursky and Dr. John Roder will discuss the latest scientific research.The 2007 International Conference – Lighting the Path: Hope in Action will benefit individuals living with mental illness; families and family leaders; psychiatrists and other affiliated professionals; politicians and policy-makers; public service providers; human resource specialists; industry supporters; lawyers and affiliated professionals; and the general public. For more information on the great line-up of workshops, plenaries and international guest speakers, visit the conference web site at: http://conference.world-schizophrenia.org/ . For more information, call 1-800-676-6892 or email: action@ssg.on.ca Space is limited so register early to ensure your choice of sessions!  

Branch Event Listings

Penticton:  A 10-session Strengthening Families Together course is being offered on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, beginning September 25, 2007. The course is FREE however, pre-registration is required. For more information please call our office at (250) 493-7338 or email: bcsspenticton@shaw.ca Vancouver/Richmond:  How Families Cope: Stories from people who’ve managed well Tuesday, Sept 11th 7-9 pm Coast Mental Health250 Kingsway/295 E. 11th .Parking and entrance are at the rear of the building.When a family member develops a serious mental illness, the rest of the family is suddenly confronted by numerous serious and complicated issues. Research shows that when families receive high quality education and support, they are able to much better manage these new, extraordinary challenges.  Come meet other families and hear from a panel of people who’ve learned how to accept and adapt to these changes and how to offer their ill family member the best possible support. To learn more about services available for families from the BCSS, contact Jessica Smits, the Regional Coordinator for the BCSS, at jessicasmits@bcss.org or 604-247-1884.