Pat is unable to be here today because she is in Toronto attending an International Conference on Schizophrenia. She has given me the following message, which I will read to you now.She says:
It is indeed an honour for me to be receiving this award. Thank you very much.
My involvement with mental illness and with the mental health system began in 1978, when my son was diagnosed with having schizophrenia, and was admitted to the Nova Scotia Hospital. He was 17. And in the 29 years that have passed since then, I have seen many changes.
One advantage in being around for so many years is that I have seen a number of positive changes and improvements in services that affect the ability of those with schizophrenia to reclaim their lives – and to realize that, for them, recovery is possible.
For example:
- The arrival of new medications, with new ones yet to come, that control the positive and negative symptoms of the disorder, has brought individuals to the point where they can carry on with their lives.
- We now understand clearly that the sooner a person begins treatment the more likely they are to move toward recovery.
- I have seen the general attitude toward mental illness and to those whose lives are interrupted by mental illness improve tremendously. This has largely been brought about through discussion, interviews, and the education of the public by the media, and by groups such as the Schizophrenia Society and the Canadian Mental Health Association, as well as specific individuals, who have worked tirelessly to achieve positive results.
Just recently, for example, CBC Radio, Toronto aired a series of programs over a period of a week that dealt with a variety of topics related to de-mystifying mental Illness. Also, our local CBC station has provided, during this year alone, many segments on local issues connected to living with a mental Illness. And now, at last, after many years and much work on part of groups and individuals we now have a Mental Health Commission of Canada, chaired by Nova Scotia's own Michael Kirby.
There is so much happening that is positive. And yet, there is still much to be done - improvements in housing, access to treatment and therapy, and expenditures to increase and improve services to all Nova Scotians.
And, in spite of new and better medications for schizophrenia, there are still many, approximately 50 percent, of those with the disorder who do not understand that they are ill, and so refuse treatment. For these seriously ill individuals we need expert counselors and psychologists who can help them attain insight into their illness, and with help, be prepared to receive treatment.
We have all learned much over the past 29 years, and now we are well positioned to move forward into the future. There can be no going back.
Once again, thank you for this award today. It is very greatly appreciated.
I am very pleased to accept this award on behalf of Pat MacLean.
Photograph of Pat MacLean delivering a report at the SSNS's 2007 Annual General Meeting taken by Bill Gard.
