Your Help Is Needed to Make Mind Matter

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To download a PDF version of this letter, please click here.

Recovery Quilt Raffle Winner

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The draw for the Recovery Quilt took place during the 4th Annual Road to Recovery Walk held on May 5th, 2012.  The winner was Angie Chasse-Naugler of Hebbs Cross, Nova Scotia.

The Recovery Quilt incorporates a tilted square design with an iris in the center of each square. The iris is a symbol of courage, wisdom, and hope, all of which aid in the recovery process. The numerous squares and winding path depict a journey to recovery that is not always straight and seldom accomplished without support. The hand-quilting was completed by the ladies of St. Paul's Presbyterian Church Guild in Merigomish, Nova Scotia.

Proceeds from the Recovery Quilt raffle will assist the Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia in its work to improve the quality of life for those affected by schizophrenia and psychosis, including family members, friends, co-workers, and employers.

Nova Scotia Lottery Licence No.: AGD005716-11

The Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia - 2011 Annual General Meeting

The Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia’s 2011 Annual General Meeting was held in Springhill, Nova Scotia, on Saturday, September 24th, 2011.

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Cecilia McRae, president of the Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia, delivers her President's Report

Phil Rogers, treasurer of the Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia, delivers his Treasurer's Report.

Hilary Thorne, the SSNS's project coordinator, speaks about the growth of the Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia.

Frank Allen, president of the Cumberland County Chapter of the SSNS introduces the guest speaker, Dr. Pippa Moss.

Dr. Pippa Moss, Chief of Psychiatry, Cumberland Health District, talks about strategies to reduce the stigma and discrimination so often encountered by people who have experienced mental illness, as well as by those who love them. To view Dr. Moss' PowerPoint slides, please click here (PDF).

Rev. Dr. Roger Cann, president of the Kings County Chapter of the SSNS, speaks about the activities of the Kings County Chapter.

Donna Methot, president of the HRM Chapter of the SSNS, speaks about the activities of the HRM Chapter.

Photographs by Stephen Ayer

Province Hosts First Atlantic Mental Health Summit

An October 29th media release from the Nova Scotia Department of Health:

Health representatives from the Atlantic provinces gathered in Halifax this week for the first Atlantic Mental Health Summit.

They have been discussing ways the provinces can work together and raise the profile of mental health issues at all levels of government. During the summit they have also heard from national and international experts.

Health Minister Maureen MacDonald [pictured] offered to lead the summit at the Atlantic health minister's meeting in January.

"The great thing about a summit like this is we gather from all walks of life, social workers, practitioners and experts to share ideas and best practices," said Ms. MacDonald during her opening remarks. "The knowledge that is shared here will help us make the right decisions for our province's mental health strategy, as we work to provide better care, sooner."

Delegates are participating in sessions and workshops to discuss mental health and homelessness, child and youth mental health, mental health promotion and prevention, public policy and a national strategy.

One in three Canadians experience mental illness in their lifetimes, and many more are directly or indirectly affected through their relationships with friends, family and co-workers.

The province announced the 12 members of the Mental Health Strategy Advisory Committee in September to help fulfill a commitment to revamp mental health and addiction services.

The summit ends today, Oct. 29.


FOR BROADCAST USE:

Health representatives from the Atlantic provinces are meeting in Halifax this week to discuss ways to work together and raise the profile of mental health at all levels of government.

Health Minister Maureen MacDonald offered to lead the summit at the Atlantic health minister's meeting in January. She says it's a perfect opportunity to share new ideas and best practices in mental health care.

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Media Contact:

Nicole Brooks
Department of Health
902-424-2608
E-mail: brooksnl@gov.ns.ca

Two representatives from the Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia participated in the Atlantic Mental Health Summit. They were Stephen Ayer, Executive Director, and Cecilia McRae, President.

To view the Atlantic Mental Health Summit agenda, please click here (PDF).

Photo credit

Photographs from the SSC National Conference in St. John's, NL

The Schizophrenia Society of Canada's (SSC) National Conference took place from July 26th to 28th, 2010, in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador.

To download PowerPoint slides from some of the presentations made during the conference, please click here.




Stephen Ayer, executive director of the Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia (left), Greg Zed, past president of the Schizophrenia Society of New Brunswick (centre), and Cecilia McRae, president of the Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia (right).




Anita Hopfauf, executive director of the Schizophrenia Society of Saskatchewan. At the far right is Phil Rogers, treasurer of the Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia.




Laura Burke, peer support facilitator with the Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia, performs spoken word poetry during the conference banquet. Laura also received the SSC's 2010 Flag of Hope Award during the banquet.




Laura Burke at The Rooms, an art gallery and museum in St. John's.




View of the entrance to St. John's harbour from The Rooms.




At a conference with a theme of Social Inclusion: Well Beyond Recovery, we didn't have too look very far for signs of social prejudice.




The Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador.


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2010 Road to Recovery Walkathon

Held on Saturday, May 8th, 2010

It's not to late to make a donation!

The Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia’s

2nd Annual Road to Recovery Walkathon

Your participation increased the public’s awareness of schizophrenia and helped raise over $27,500 to support the extensive and crucial work of the Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia. THANK YOU!

This year, in addition to the regular pledge sheets, we had online pledging! Walkers were able to set up their own pledge website, send e-mails to friends to request that they to make a pledge for them online, track their online pledges, and much more. To view the online pledging, please visit the 2nd Annual Road to Recovery Walkathon website by clicking here.

Stephen Ayer, executive director of the SSNS, welcoming the walkers.

Learning the chants from Cecilia McRae (left) and Donna Methot!

The 2010 Road to Recovery walkers posing for a group photograph.

The start of the five-kilometre Road to Recovery walk.

On the Road to Recovery!

Preparing for the auction!

Please click on any photograph to enlarge it. Photographs Kim Clark and Guy Methot.

The 3rd Annual Road to Recovery Walkathon will be held on Saturday, May 7th, 2011. For further information, please contact Donna Methot at 462-8658 or send an email to hrmchapterssns@accesswave.ca.

SSNS – Recovery is Possible!

2010 Major Sponsors

2010 Gift-In-Kind Sponsors

Randy Ross

Photography

Media Advisory from the Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia

The Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia’s 2nd Annual Road to Recovery Walkathon

Halifax, May 6th, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia is holding its 2nd Annual Road to Recovery Walkathon on Saturday, May 8th, 2010. The five-kilometre walk begins at 1:00 pm at the Halifax Curling Club, 948 South Bland Street, proceeds north on South Park Street and Bell Road, south on Robie Street, and finishes by returning to the Halifax Curling Club at 2:30 pm via Inglis Street. From 2:30 pm to 4:00 pm there will be refreshments, the presentation of prizes, and entertainment by Stand Up For Mental Health comedians Owen Redden and Shan MacDonald. The guest speaker is Cecilia McRae, president of the Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia.

Schizophrenia is not a split personality. It is a complex biochemical brain disorder characterized by one defining symptom – a loss of touch with reality (psychosis). Schizophrenia directly affects 1% of Nova Scotians at some point in their lifetime, and indirectly affects substantially more family members and friends. It is a highly treatable illness that influences the way a person thinks, acts, and perceives their world. With treatment, the majority of people with schizophrenia significantly recover. And the prognosis is getting better as research on the illness progresses, as treatments become more readily available, as people get help earlier, and as mental health laws recognize the urgent requirement for compassionate and effective involuntary treatment.

The Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia provides a community-based network of knowledgeable and dedicated volunteers so desperately needed by many individuals directly affected by schizophrenia, as well as their family members, friends, colleagues, and communities. Held during Mental Health Week, the Road to Recovery Walkathon is an opportunity for the greater community to get involved and to help reduce the stigma so often associated with a diagnosis of schizophrenia.

All proceeds from the Road to Recovery Walkathon go to the Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia to support the delivery of its crucial and extensive programs and services. For further information, to make a donation, or to make a pledge on behalf of one of the many walkers, visit www.ssnswalk.dojiggy.com.

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Cecilia McRae, Owen Redden, Shan MacDonald, and Stephen Ayer will be available for interviews during the event.


For additional information or to schedule an interview contact:

Dr. Stephen Ayer
Executive Director
Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia
(902) 465-2601
ssns@ns.sympatico.ca

Recovery Quilt winner!

Dorothy Gregor, right, is presented with the Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia's Recovery Quilt. Ms. Gregor's winning ticket was drawn by Judge Alfred Brien during the Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia's 21st Annual Conference on October 1st, 2009. Presenting the Recovery Quilt to Ms. Gregor is Cecilia McRae, president of the Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia.


About the Recovery Quilt

The Recovery Quilt depicts life after a diagnosis of mental illness. Picking up the pieces to create something beautiful and functional, yet often different from what we had initially intended.

The Iris represents the individual; and the blades of grass, the support system. Supports include: family, friends, caregivers, co-workers, medical staff, education, skills, jobs, housing, religion, community and various organizations. All help weather the storm; for alone the Iris is vulnerable and frail.

The checkerboard border is suggestive of the journey, and how each move we make has an impact on the outcome.

The gently scalloped edge illustrates that the road to recovery is not always straight, we have to expect some curves along the way.

In 1994, The Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia chose the Iris as an emblem for its crusade against mental illness. The Iris’ three petals represent courage, wisdom and hope. The Iris takes its name from the Greek word for “rainbow”.

The Recovery Quilt was hand-made by Cecilia McRae and Roberta Smith. It was hand-quilted by the Merigomish Presbyterian Church Guild in 2009.