Media Advisory from the Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia

Stigma: Not Here, Thank You

October 25, 2012
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Halifax, Nova Scotia

Media Advisory – Photo and Interview Opportunity


Anti-stigma initiatives to be highlighted during the Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia’s annual conference.


What: The Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia is holding its 24th annual conference.

Who: Dr. Zlatka Russinova of Boston University will speak on “Beyond the Shadows of Psychiatric Prejudice and Discrimination” and Dr. Pippa Moss, a founding member of the Canadian Psychiatric Association’s Stigma–Discrimination Working Group will present on “Fighting Stigma”. Other presentation topics include youth and stigma, stigma and the justice System, and how stigma affects families.

When: Friday, October 26, 2012, 9:00 am to 4:30 pm

Where: McInnes Room, Student Union Building, Dalhousie University, 6136 University Avenue, Halifax, Nova Scotia

–30–

About the Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia

The Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia works to improve the quality of life for those affected by schizophrenia through education, support programs, influencing public policy, and encouraging research.

In addition to the provincial office located in Dartmouth, the Society has chapters or support groups conducting monthly support group meetings in Cumberland County, Halifax Regional Municipality, Kings County, Lunenburg County, and Pictou County.

Media Contact

Dr. Stephen Ayer
Phone: (902) 465-2601
Email: ssns@ns.sympatico.ca

Mental illness and addictions costing Ontarians years of life

An October 10th media advisory from Public Health Ontario:

First study of its kind opens eyes to the burden of mental illness and addictions in province

TORONTO, Oct. 10, 2012 /CNW/ - Mental illness and addictions are often misunderstood, misdiagnosed, or ignored by many, including those in the health care system. A groundbreaking report from the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES) and Public Heath Ontario (PHO), Opening Eyes, Opening Minds, quantifies the burden of selected mental illnesses and addictions. The overall burden of mental illness and addictions is more than 1.5 times that of all cancers and more than seven times that of all infectious diseases.

"It is clear that Ontarians suffer a high burden of disease from mental illness and addictions," said Dr. Vivek Goel, President and CEO, Public Health Ontario. "This report gives decision-makers sound evidence to support what has been the experience of many: Mental illness and addictions carry a heavy burden on our society, one we can no longer afford to bear."

The report, supported by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and McMaster University, shows that the high burden is due largely to three factors: the emergence of these conditions early in life, the conditions' prolonged durations and their relatively high prevalence. The early onset of mental illness and addictions coincides with a time of major life transitions, such as completion of high school, transition to higher education, entry into the workforce, and marriage. The disruption of these transitions exacts a significant personal and social cost to individuals and society as a whole.

"We calculated the burden of selected mental illnesses and addictions in Ontario by looking at their impact on early deaths as well as on the quality of life. In many cases this burden is substantially more than that of other illnesses such as cancers and infectious diseases," said Sujitha Ratnasingham, lead author and epidemiologist at ICES.

Treatments for individuals suffering from these conditions are often underutilized, and an explicit population focus on mental health promotion, mental illness and substance misuse prevention is often lacking.

"However, there is hope and it's important to remember that these conditions are treatable. If we increase the likelihood that people seek and get timely access to treatments, the burden for individuals and the entire population will be reduced," said Dr. Paul Kurdyak, co-author, ICES Scientist and Chief, Division of General and Health Systems Psychiatry at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.

Public health is poised to address mental health and addictions at the population level. "The public health system strives to prevent chronic diseases, injuries and substance misuse. This report will be an important source of information to assist public health in planning and evaluating these local programs and services," said Dr. Robert Kyle, Commissioner and Medical Officer of Health, Durham Region Health Department.

"This report tells us that mental health and public health practitioners, policy-makers and researchers need to work together to identify and enhance health promotion and intervention strategies for the population at large, while improving access to treatment for those suffering from mental illness and addictions," said Dr. Goel.

Notable findings from Opening Eyes, Opening Minds: The Ontario Burden of Mental Illness and Addictions Report include:

• The overall burden for selected mental illnesses and addictions was more than 1.5 times as much as all cancers and more than seven times as much as all infectious diseases.

• These five conditions had the highest burden: depression, bipolar disorder, alcohol use disorders, social phobia, and schizophrenia.

• Depression has the highest overall burden, accounting for a third of the total burden.

• Alcohol use disorders accounted for 88 per cent of all deaths attributed to mental illness and addictions and 91 per cent of years lost due to early death.

• In Ontario, new cases of mental illnesses and addictions in an average year lead to more than 600,000 future health-adjusted life years lost.

While staggering, this represents only a portion of the burden. The researchers were not able to incorporate suicides, co-morbidities, nor were all mental illnesses and addictions included.
Early detection and timely intervention are critical to reduce lifelong burden of disease.

Public Health Ontario is a Crown corporation dedicated to protecting and promoting the health of all Ontarians and reducing inequities in health. As a hub organization, Public Health Ontario links public health practitioners, front-line health workers and researchers to the best scientific intelligence and knowledge from around the world. For more information about Public Health Ontario, visit www.oahpp.ca.

ICES is an independent, non-profit organization that uses population-based health information to produce knowledge on a broad range of health care issues. Our unbiased evidence provides measures of health system performance, a clearer understanding of the shifting health care needs of Ontarians, and a stimulus for discussion of practical solutions to optimize scarce resources. ICES knowledge is highly regarded in Canada and abroad, and is widely used by government, hospitals, planners, and practitioners to make decisions about care delivery and to develop policy.

SOURCE: Public Health Ontario

For further information:

Nicole Helsberg, PHO, 647 260 7247, nicole.helsberg@oahpp.ca

Deborah Creatura, ICES, 416 480 4780, Deborah.Creatura@ices.on.ca

Canada Post Community Foundation 2012 Grant Recipients

Dalhousie University and the Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia

Project

Community Pharmacy Collaborative

Location

Halifax, Nova Scotia

Objective: 

To promote collaborative relationships between those suffering from mental illness and community pharmacists. Mobilizing community pharmacists (an underutilized group of health professionals) for the benefit of clients suffering from mental illness, through “knowledge nodes” that team pharmacists with individuals living with mental illness. These “nodes” will develop material that pharmacists can use to provide support to clients with mental health issues.

Impact: 

Three knowledge nodes (total six pharmacists and six individuals experienced with mental illness) will be developed. In turn, each “node” will reach out to five additional pharmacists.


Source (and click on the Nova Scotia tab)

Photo credit