Discovery Channel - Neurons and How They Work

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Recognizing a common genetic syndrome: 22q11.2 deletion syndrome

An article in published in the February 12th edition of the Canadian Medical Association Journal. To download the entire article (PDF) click here.

Below is a quote from the article authored by Ronak K. Kapadia, BSc,* and Anne S. Bassett, MD.**

*Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia.
**Clinical Genetics Research Program, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario.

22q11.2 deletion syndrome, previously known as DiGeorge syndrome or velocardiofacial syndrome, is the most common microdeletion syndrome known (estimated prevalence of 1 in 4000 live births), yet it remains underrecognized, especially in adults (1,2). Clinical variability, multisystem disease, subtle features, lack of medical genetics services, the recent availability of molecular cytogenetic testing in 1994 and, most importantly, the unfamiliarity of clinicians with this syndrome all contribute to delayed and missed diagnoses. Clinic visits and admissions to hospital present opportunities to diagnose 22q11.2 deletion syndrome, but without knowledge of this syndrome and its features, patients will not receive the correct diagnosis.

The deletion is hemizygous (affecting only 1 chromosome) and involves the 22q11.2 region of the long arm of chromosome 22. In most newly diagnosed cases (> 90%), and in our case, the parents are unaffected because this is a de novo mutation. Both parents of patients with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome should be tested for the deletion because expression may be mild (1). Fertility is generally unaffected in individuals with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. Patients with a confirmed diagnosis require genetic counselling about the 50% chance of transmitting the deletion with each pregnancy and about the wide range of congenital and later-onset conditions associated with this syndrome (1). Common later-onset conditions include endocrine disorders, such as hypothyroidism and hypoparathyroidism (1), and schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder (about 25% of cases) (1,2).

Bold emphasis is mine.

References

1. Bassett AS, Chow EWC, Husted J, et al. Clinical features of 78 adults with 22q11 deletion syndrome. Am J Med Genet A 2005;138:307-13. [Medline]
2. Bassett AS, Chow EWC. 22q11 deletion syndrome: a genetic subtype of schizophrenia. Biol Psychiatry 1999;46:882-91. [Medline]
   

Daring to Think Differently About Schizophrenia

An interesting article in today's The New York Times. To read the article, click here.

Darryle D. Schoepp (right) has helped develop new drugs for treating schizophrenia, relying on a novel approach for combating some symptoms of the disorder.



Photograph by Aaron Houston for The New York Times.

What is WRAP?

From the Copeland Center for Wellness & Recovery:

WRAP stands for Wellness Recovery Action Plan™

WRAP is a self-management and recovery system developed by a group of people who had mental health difficulties and who were struggling to incorporate wellness tools and strategies into their lives. WRAP is designed to:

• Decrease and prevent intrusive or troubling feelings and behaviors
• Increase personal empowerment
• Improve quality of life
• Assist people in achieving their own life goals and dreams.
  

WRAP is a structured system to monitor uncomfortable and distressing symptoms that can help you reduce, modify or eliminate those symptoms by using planned responses. This includes plans for how you want others to respond when symptoms have made it impossible for you to continue to make decisions, take care of yourself or keep yourself safe.

People who are using WRAP say:

“It helps me feel prepared.”

“I feel better more often and I’m able to improve the overall quality of my life.”

The person who experiences symptoms is the one who develops their personal WRAP. The person may choose to have supporters and health care professionals help them create their WRAP.

The WRAP system was developed by people who have been dealing with a variety of psychiatric symptoms for many years and who are working hard to feel better and get on with their lives. Mary Ellen Copeland has shared it with people with other illnesses and they too believe that it can be easily adapted for use with other conditions.

What People are Saying About WRAP . . .

"Recovery & WRAP have changed my life."

"I've gone from being totally disabled to being able to live a full and rich life. I am so grateful."

"Everything has improved at our organization. People are recovering and moving forward with their lives. Our work is so much more fulfilling."

“Finally, something I can do to help myself.”

“I used to spend months, even years, in the hospital. Now I have a bad afternoon or a bad day. And it's all because I use WRAP.”

“WRAP for me is about personal responsibility. I can just let my "symptoms" take over my life. Or I can take personal responsibility, use my WRAP, and do what I need to do to take care of myself and feel better.”

“In the years that I have been using WRAP, everything has changed in my life. I used to spend all my time just sitting around, watching TV and smoking. Now I hardly ever watch TV, I've given up smoking, I've gone back to school and I have a real job. And I have a wonderful partner. I never thought life could be this good.”

“This has changed my life completely. I used to think of myself as this "mentally ill" person. Now I am a person who knows how to take care of myself and help myself in difficult time. If I am feeling badly or having a hard time, I take action. And there are so many simple, safe things I can do.”

“When I was feeling badly I used to call the doctor or call the hotline. Now I check my list of Wellness Tools and do something I really enjoy. Usually its call a friend to go for a walk, go to a movie, watch a video or just talk.”

“The word crisis has a different meaning for me now. I used to think it was a crisis when I felt really anxious and upset. I thought I needed to go into the hospital or get my medications increased. Now a crisis is when everything is so bad I need others to take over for me. And I don't have them anymore, because now I know how to take care of myself.”

For other websites on WRAP visit:

1. WRAP Personal Workbook (PDF)
2. PsychCentral
3. HealthyPlace.com
4. MentalHealthRecovery.com

Thanks go to Dachia Joudrey for bringing these websites to my attention.

Mental Health Commission of Canada Appoints President & CEO

A February 15th news release from the Mental Health Commission of Canada:

CALGARY, AB February 15, 2008 - The Honourable Michael Kirby, Chair of the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC), today announced the appointment of Michael Howlett (right, standing) as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the newly formed Commission. His appointment will take effect February 18, 2008.

“Michael Howlett brings the vision, proven leadership and experience essential to help the Commission achieve its ultimate goal of keeping mental illness out of the shadows forever,” said Michael Kirby, Chair of the MHCC`s Board of Directors. “Michael Howlett has distinguished himself as a results-oriented business and non-profit sector leader who is respected for his work nationally and internationally. He understands the important balance of fiscal and philanthropic responsibility.”

Mr. Howlett is currently the President and CEO of the Canadian Diabetes Association (CDA). For the last five years, he has been a champion for those affected by diabetes, working with government, the medical and research community and business. Under his direction, the CDA experienced a dramatic turnaround. It has become a financially sound and effective national organization, internationally recognized as the authority in diabetes research, education and advocacy.

Mr. Howlett’s professional career spans three decades. Prior to joining CDA, he established himself both as a successful business leader and champion of causes that defended those who could not defend themselves.

“This is a great opportunity to make a difference. I have seen firsthand the effect poor mental health can have on a family, and I look forward to working on behalf of the Mental Health Commission to improve the lives of Canadians impacted by mental illness. We look to build strong partnerships with government and business to make mental health the foundation of total health,” said Mr. Howlett.

The MHCC is a non-profit organization created to focus national attention on mental health issues. It is funded by the federal government but operates at arm’s length from all levels of government. The Commission’s objective is to enhance the health and social outcomes for Canadians living with mental health problems and illnesses.

To achieve this goal the Commission is pursuing three key initiatives: leading the development of a national mental health strategy; creating a ten-year campaign to reduce the widespread stigma associated with mental health problems and illnesses; and establishing a Knowledge Exchange Centre to improve cross-sector communication about mental health and mental illness for all Canadians.

The Commission was announced by Prime Minister Stephen Harper in response to one of the recommendations in the report by the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology, titled “Out of the Shadows at Last – Transforming Mental Health, Mental Illness and Addiction Services in Canada.” Former Senator Michael Kirby was Chair of the Senate Committee and Senator Wilbert Keon served as Deputy Chair during the drafting of the report.

Funding for the Mental Health Commission of Canada was provided by the Government of Canada in its March 2007 budget, and the Mental Health Commission’s Board of Directors held its first meeting on September 10, 2007.

Mr. Kirby expressed his appreciation to Glenn Thompson for his leadership as Interim President and CEO of the MHCC over the past 7 months.

About the Mental Health Commission of Canada
The Mental Health Commission of Canada is a non-profit organization created to focus attention on mental health issues and to work to improve the health and social outcomes of people living with mental illness. The Mental Health Commission of Canada is governed by a Board of Directors, consisting of 11 non-governmental directors, and seven who are appointed by Federal, Provincial and Territorial governments as well as the Chair – the Honourable Michael Kirby – who was appointed by the Government of Canada. The Board is assisted in its work by eight Advisory Committees.

- 30-

For more information contact:
Micheal Pietrus, Director Information Services
(403) 620-6154

Looking Beyond

An article by Sean Flinn in the February 14th edition of The Coast:

Connections Clubhouse brings together people with mental illness, creating a community within the community. The recent publication of Looking Beyond, for example, collects poetry, short stories, essays and art (drawings primarily---check out Jon Welland's stuff) by Connections members, and creates not only a document reflecting the daily life and vibe of the place, it also offers some damn fine writing to enjoy.

Though there was an editorial committee in place that selected the contributions, "everyone was given a chance to contribute---no one was turned away," explains Teresa Brown, editor of Looking Beyond.

Still, that didn't mean they published whatever was sent to them. According to Brown, the committee looked for honesty and a unique voice in submissions.

Adam Jack Pelley's short story "Sidewalk Sam (The Bum)" demonstrates the calibre of writing reached in these pages. Though it should've been called "Happy Thursday"---a line silently repeated by the narrator as he asks for spare change on Spring Garden---the story starts the collection off on a confident, strong note, giving insight into the interior experience of a life spent on the street. (The 1999 indie film Heater, starring Gary Farmer, does the same.) Pelley is in talks with a publisher, Brown says. Brown herself contributes two imaginative modern fables and a poem to Looking Beyond. "Writing for me is just about the release---letting it all hang out." As an editor, she says, "I simply did a lot in terms of encouraging people to be involved."

Clearly, the weekly creative writing class held at Connections Clubhouse is paying off.

The book is $15. Call 473-8692 or drop by 1221 Barrington for a copy.

Looking Beyond is available for loan from the SSNS library. Email ssns@ns.sympatico.ca or call 1-800-465-2601 for more information on borrowing this book.

Thanks go to John Devlin for bringing The Coast article on Looking Beyond to my attention.

The SSNS makes a presentation at Trenton Middle School

Staff and a volunteer from the Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia discussing schizophrenia and psychosis with Grade 9 students at Trenton Middle School on Monday, February 4th.

Click on the photographs to enlarge them.






All photographs by Jill Fraser, Trenton Middle School.

Peer-Professional First-Person Account: Schizophrenia From the Inside—Phenomenology and the Integration of Causes and Meanings

Click here for a free PDF of Peter K. Chadwick's 2007 article in Schizophrenia Bulletin.

Suicide: scientific overview and relevance for trauma care providers

An abstract from the journal Trauma, Vol. 9, No. 3, 213-220 (2007):

By Marie Crandall

Department of Surgery, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA, mcrandall@northwestern.edu

The World Health Organization estimates that in the year 2000, approximately one million people died from suicide worldwide. Over the last 45 years, suicide rates have increased by 60%, with a particularly precipitous rise among young people. The underlying psychology of suicide is complex and individual. However, certain themes emerge from studying individuals who have attempted or completed suicides. This paper will provide an overview of suicide and suicidal behaviour as it relates to trauma practitioners, detailing risk factors, biologic and genetic interactions, and opportunities for prevention and treatment.

Key Words: trauma • injury • suicide • prevention • review • epidemiology

New schizophrenia treatment now available in Canada: Zeldox

A recent news release:

LEGER MARKETING RESEARCH SHOWS STRONG STIGMA ASSOCIATED TO DISEASE AFFECTING MORE THAN 300,000 CANADIANS

MONTREAL, Feb. 6 /CNW/ - Canadians with schizophrenia now have a new treatment option to manage their disease. Health Canada has approved ZELDOX(TM) (ziprasidone hydrochloride) for the treatment of schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders, bringing an important additional option to manage this chronic complex mental illness, which is highly stigmatized and misunderstood.

New research from Léger Marketing reveals the extent of the stigma associated with the disease. Seventy per cent of Canadians feel that those who suffer from schizophrenia are not always treated the same way as people who are not afflicted with the disease. Even more surprising is the fact that among those Canadians who have been personally diagnosed or know someone who has schizophrenia, 44 per cent say they would be uncomfortable having a person with schizophrenia spend the weekend in their home.

"ZELDOX(TM) is a welcome new treatment option because it controls the symptoms of schizophrenia and appears to cause less weight gain than other antipsychotic medications. Weight gain can increase the risk of developing diabetes and heart disease. These side effects are often distressing and stigmatizing and are a major reason that patients go off their medication," said Dr. Ashok Malla, Director of the Prevention and Early Intervention Program for Psychoses at the Douglas Mental Health University Institute in Montreal, Quebec. "ZELDOX(TM) has demonstrated an excellent safety and efficacy profile as demonstrated through over a decade of research and patient experience."

The Léger survey revealed the low level of awareness among Canadians about the impact of the side effects associated with many medications that are used to treat schizophrenia. Only one in ten Canadians (10 per cent) believes that those with schizophrenia stop their treatment due to weight gain and other side effects. Surprisingly, 57 per cent of Canadians who have been or know someone that has been diagnosed with schizophrenia believe that people with the illness stop their treatment because they are well enough.

In Canada, one in every hundred persons lives with schizophrenia - over 300,000 Canadians in all. It is characterized by symptoms such as delusions, hallucinations, unusual suspiciousness, becoming withdrawn, and becoming depressed or anxious. People who suffer from schizophrenia have difficulty performing tasks that require abstract memory and sustained attention.

Mary K. was diagnosed with schizophrenia in 2001. Frustrated by the fact that the first treatment she took caused her to gain upwards of 20 pounds, she found herself feeling exhausted and hungry all the time and she was unable to hold down a job. When her psychiatrist suggested that she participate in a clinical trial evaluating the efficacy of ziprasidone, she was enthusiastic at the prospect of trying a new treatment. Almost immediately after taking ZELDOX(TM), Mary was able to lose the weight she had gained and feel more energized. She was able to go back to school, earn a diploma and obtain a steady job. She has now been taking ZELDOX(TM) for the treatment and management of her schizophrenia for the past five years through a clinical trial.

"Since I began taking ZELDOX(TM), I can not only manage my symptoms, but I don't experience any of the side effects such as weight gain that were typical of other medications I had taken. ZELDOX(TM) has enabled me not only to regain control of my life but it has allowed me to enjoy my life."

The precise cause of schizophrenia remains unknown and there is no definitive cure. In 2006, the total cost of schizophrenia (both direct and indirect) in Canada was estimated to be $4.35 billion. It also places a substantial financial burden on sufferers themselves and their caregivers.

"The approval of ZELDOX(TM) represents a significant step forward for Canadians living with schizophrenia. It provides them with another option with which to treat this chronic mental condition, a condition that has a significant impact not only on individuals living with schizophrenia, but also on their families and on society," said Dr. Bernard Prigent, Vice-President, Medical Affairs, Pfizer Canada.

About ZELDOX(TM)
Discovered and developed by Pfizer, ZELDOX(TM) is a serotonin and dopamine antagonist which treats the symptoms characterized as both positive (e.g. visual and auditory hallucinations) and negative (lack of motivation and social withdrawal) as well as the overall psychopathology of the disease.

The efficacy of ZELDOX(TM) in the treatment of schizophrenia was established in the largest ever clinical trials program conducted for a novel antipsychotic medication prior to launch. The program involved four short-term and one long-term placebo-controlled clinical trials of psychotic inpatients who met the DSM-III-R criteria for schizophrenia. Each study included 2-3 fixed doses of ZELDOX(TM) as well as placebo. In clinical trials, ZELDOX(TM) demonstrated excellent positive, negative, and affective symptom efficacy as well as improvement in social impairment and cognitive symptoms in switch studies at 6 weeks versus olanzapine and risperidone. Several instruments were used to assess psychiatric signs and symptoms in these studies, among them the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) and the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), both multi-item inventories of psychopathology traditionally used to evaluate the effects of drug treatment in psychosis.

As with many other atypical antipsychotics, the exact mechanism of action of ZELDOX(TM) is unknown. However, it has been proposed that the efficacy of this drug in schizophrenia is mediated through a combination of dopamine type 2 (D2) and serotonin type 2 (5HT2) antagonism. ZELDOX(TM) is the only atypical antipsychotic with data showing long-term improvement in metabolic parameters including weight, cholesterol and triglycerides. The most common side effects of ZELDOX(TM) include fatigue, nausea or upset stomach, constipation, dizziness, restlessness, abnormal movements, diarrhea, rash or increased cough/runny nose. One potential side effect of ZELDOX(TM) is that it may induce an abnormal heart rhythm, a risk that can be increased in patients who already have certain abnormal heart conditions or in those who are taking certain medications. ZELDOX(TM) is not recommended in patients who have Long QT Syndrome (LQTS), those who have had a recent heart attack, severe heart failure or certain irregularities of heart rhythm.

ZELDOX(TM) has been approved in 89 other countries worldwide and is marketed under the brand name GEODON in some countries, including the United States.

About Pfizer Canada Inc.
Pfizer Canada Inc. is the Canadian operation of Pfizer Inc, the world's leading pharmaceutical company. Pfizer discovers, develops, manufactures and markets prescription medicines for humans and animals. Pfizer's ongoing research and development activities focus on a wide range of therapeutic areas following our guiding aspiration ... Working for a healthier world. For more information, visit www.pfizer.ca.

ZELDOX, Pfizer Products Inc.
For further information: Christina Antoniou, Pfizer Canada, (514)693-4766 or (514) 208-5960, christina.antoniou@pfizer.ca; Sandra Cruickshanks, Thornley Fallis Communications, (416) 515-7517 x248, cruickshanks@thornleyfallis.com; Farah Meghji, Thornley Fallis Communications, (416) 515-7517 x249, meghji@thornleyfallis.com

Information: Community Mental Health Bayers Road

Click on the image to enlarge it.

Tasers - Update

From the January 30th broadcast of CBC Radio's The Current:

Back in 1993, as the story goes, two high school athletes had been shot to death in a road rage incident in Scottsdale, Arizona. One of their team-mates -- a man named Rick Smith -- decided there ought to be something other than a gun that people could use to defend themselves. So he and his brother Tom developed a stun gun that would send a jolt of electricity through the target. It was called the Air Taser 34,000. And it was the beginning of what would become the Taser Corporation.

Today, 25,000 American police officers use a Taser stun gun. Canadian police began using them in 2000; there are nearly 7,000 Tasers in use in Canada. And the company says it has sold Tasers to more than 60 countries.

But despite all that, there are still questions about the safety of Tasers, leading the House of Commons Public Safety Committee to undertake a review of Taser use in Canada.

CBC Reporter Sandra Bartlett looked into some of the questions surrounding Tasers as part of a CBC News and Radio Canada investigation, Sandra Bartlett joined us in Toronto to talk about what she found.

To listen to the program (21 minutes, 57 seconds), click here (RealPlayer).

Photograph of Anna Maria Tremonti courtesy of CBC.ca.

Thanks go to Dachia Joudrey for bring this program to my attention.

Scientists Can Predict Psychotic Illness In Up To 80 Percent Of High-risk Youth

For the full story, click here.

For the abstract of the paper published in the Archives of General Psychiatry, click here.

For a related story published in the February 1st issue of Psychiatric News, click here.

Major Problem Often Overlooked When Linking Violence, Illness

To read this article written by Mark Moran and published in the February 1st issue of Psychiatric News, click here.

Changing the Name Schizophrenia

From the World Fellowship for Schizophrenia and Allied Disorders:

The World Fellowship for Schizophrenia and Allied Disorders is conducting a survey: Changing the Name Schizophrenia. The issue has been talked about for years and continues to crop up. It is an important time to ask this question, as the DSM is being reviewed (it will be published in 2012) and changing the name of schizophrenia is one of the items being considered. While it is a diagnostic and treatment-based decision, the impact is much broader than just diagnosis and treatment.

We need to add our voices to the debate, letting the reviewers know how family, people with the illness and other mental health professionals feel. We want to gather a broader range of opinions than is typically gathered when this question is posed - around the world and to all of the stakeholders, and also give people a chance to say 'this is important' or 'this is a waste of time'.

It will take just a few minutes to complete the survey. Simply click here.

Useful References

Renaming schizophrenia (2007)

Schizophrenia can and should be renamed (2007)

Change is required; but name or attitude? (2007)

Renaming schizophrenia: a Japanese perspective (2006)

Great Maritime Hockey Getaway

eBay Auction

Winning bid of $300 was made by Vicky MacLeod

Vicky MacLeod

This was a fundraiser for the Lunenburg County Chapter of the Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia (LCC-SSNS). All items were donated and all the proceeds from this sale went to LCC-SSNS.

Vicky received:

1. Four VIA Rail tickets; round trip between Halifax, Nova Scotia and Moncton, New Brunswick, valued at $492.48 (valid up until and including December 14, 2008 with the exception of Easter Weekend [not valid for travel Easter weekend from Thursday to Monday, inclusive]);
   
2. $150 Holiday Inn Express Voucher (voucher expires December 31, 2008 - not valid July and August 2008);
   
3. $100 Budget Rent A Car Voucher (voucher is valid until November 30, 2008, and car rentals can be at any Budget Car and Truck Rental location in Fredericton, Saint John, Moncton, Charlottetown, Sydney, Truro, Yarmouth, Bathurst, Halifax, or Dartmouth); and
   
4. Two Special Guest Passes to any Moncton Wildcats Hockey Game during the 2007/2008 season (passes must be redeemed at the Coliseum Box Office for complimentary tickets 24 hours before the game).
   

Thank you to all who participated in the bidding!

A very special thank you to Via Rail Canada, Holiday Inn Express, Budget Rent A Car, and the Moncton Wildcats for their donations!

Schizophrenia Facts and Statistics

An excellent summary from Schizophrenia.com. To read the summary, click here.

We have moved!

The offices of the Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia are now located at:

Rooms B23 and B24, E.C. Purdy Building
300 Pleasant Street
P.O. Box 1004, Station Main
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia B2Y 3Z9

Our telephone numbers remain the same:

Phone: (902) 465-2601
Toll-free in Nova Scotia: 1-800-465-2601
Fax: (902) 465-5479

Feel free to drop in for a visit!

We thank the Capital District Mental Health Program for their in-kind donation of office space.


The five SSNS office windows are circled in yellow in the above photograph (click the photograph to enlarge it).

Photograph by rwkphotos.

Mental Health Services, 2008 Calendar Project

The Nova Scotia Department of Health, Mental Health Services, is seeking submissions of works of visual art from women who have experienced or are experiencing a mood disorder (i.e. anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, etc.) and who live in Nova Scotia.

Artwork will be reproduced in a calendar to be published by the Department of Health to raise awareness of women and mood disorders and the issues for them at home and in the workplace.

Women whose artwork is selected for inclusion in the calendar receive a $150 honorarium.

To view the Project Poster, click here (downloads a PDF).

To view the Information and Submission Form, click here (PDF)

Healthy Living Series

Presented by
Cole Harbour Public Library and
Cole Harbour / Eastern HRM Mental Health Services

These education sessions are open to anyone interested and will be held Wednesdays from 7 pm to 9 pm at Cole Harbour Public Library.

For a complete listing of the upcoming sessions, click here.

Online Support Groups for Family / Supporters

The BC Schizophrenia Society and the Mind Foundation (on behalf of BC Partners for Mental Health and Addictions Information) are pleased to announce the launch of a series of new online support groups.

These support groups are for people caring for a loved one:

• who is having difficulty coping with difficult thoughts, experiences or emotions, or
• who may have a brain condition or mental illness affecting their thoughts emotions or behaviour.
  

The online groups are anonymous, private and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. There are three groups in the series. All groups are moderated. To go directly to the support groups, click here.

(NOTE: you will need to register [click on the register link] to view or post in the family support forums. You will need to provide your email address to register but no one other than our moderators will be able to see it.)

Focus on Families

From the January 2008 issue of Psychiatric Services:

Three articles in this month's issue address the important role of families in the lives of people with severe mental illness. Amy N. Cohen, Ph.D., and colleagues report on the Family Forum, a 2006 conference sponsored by the Department of Veterans Affairs. The 40 researchers, providers, and administrators who attended the forum identified challenges to implementing family psychoeducation and reached a consensus on how best to move forward with new approaches (page 40).

In the second article Susan A. Pickett-Schenk, Ph.D., and her coauthors compare outcomes of 231 family members who participated in Journey of Hope, an eight-week family-led psychoeducation program, and 231 family members assigned to a waiting list. Program participants' gains in knowledge and coping skills were significantly higher and were maintained at six months (page 49).

In the third report Matthew J. Smith, Ph.D., M.S.W., and Jan S. Greenberg, Ph.D., present results of a survey of 136 siblings of adults with schizophrenia. Their findings indicate that early-intervention programs with families that focus on the needs of siblings may have lifelong positive effects on the quality of the sibling bond (page 57).

More Prescribing Decisions to Be Guided by Genetic Tests

An article published in the January 18th edition of Psychiatric News:

By Jun Yan

Genetic discoveries, which are continuing to reveal why different people react to the same drug differently, are beginning to influence personalized drug therapy.

To read the entire article, click here.

Parasite May Lead to Schizophrenia

Thursday, Jan. 17 (Psych Central) -- An amazing new finding suggests a common parasite carried by animals may increase the risk of schizophrenia.

Toxoplasma gondii parasite, an organism carried by carried by cats and farm animals was found to increase the risk of schizophrenia by 24 percent among individuals.

To read the entire article, click here.

Image provided by Ke Hu and John Murray.

The Residence is more than a place to live.

A story from the January 18th edition of The Ledger:

The Residence is one of a handful of assisted-living facilities in Polk County that specialize in providing a home for people who have illnesses such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

To view the video, click here.

To read the entire story, click here.

To read the entire series of articles on Matters of the Mind: The Effects of Mental Illness click here.

Photograph: Rick Runion | The Ledger

Provincial Health Services Operational Review (PHSOR)

To read the Provincial Health Services Operational Review (PHSOR) released today, click here.

Quoted below is what the PHSOR says about mental health services (pages 20 and 21):

MENTAL HEALTH
Mental health services are delivered throughout the Province either in a combined district model or through individual DHAs. This service is handicapped by limited resources and a provincial mental health response that is in development, but remains disjointed. Efforts to improve mental health services are underway. The PHSOR identifies a number of themes that support the need for extensive redevelopment of mental health services, including:

• Access to both community-based supports and acute inpatient services is limited. Shortages of community-based services increase the reliance on acute services. Conversely, bed utilization and inability to discharge are common issues due to limited community programs and hospitalization. There is insufficient community housing, few community groups and resources, little long term rehabilitation and a lack of geriatric assessment units and senior mental health programs. These issues are particularly difficult for patients who cannot access services within their own DHA.
  

• Access to mental health professionals is limited. There are few psychiatrists outside the larger urban centres. The same is true for many other mental health professionals, e.g., psychologists. Emergency response teams are inadequate to compensate for and meet crisis care needs for most communities. The issues are exacerbated by transportation challenges between healthcare providers and patients, reflecting the geographic realities in Nova Scotia.
  

• Pharmaceutical interventions are often costly and limited Pharmacare coverage for prescription drugs encourages non-compliance to prescribed treatments.
  

• Limited integration and communication between government departments and within the DOH interrupts the continuum of care. There is a need for greater planning with the Department of Community Services to provide appropriate supported housing. In addition, patients with concurrent disorders are not well supported due to infrastructure and longstanding stigmas attached to service providers, e.g., mental health and addiction services. Finally, the mental health needs within aboriginal communities are not being addressed adequately and require stronger linkages between provincial and federal jurisdictions.
  

RECOMMENDATIONS:

10. That the Department of Health lead a process with the DHAs/IWK to complete a focused review of mental health services including, but not limited to: a health human resource strategy for mental health professionals; a provincial bed analysis to determine how many beds are needed in the Province and where those beds should be (fewer sites for inpatient programs may need to be considered to alleviate the pressure that is currently being experienced regarding recruitment and retention of staff to support the inpatient units); necessary linkages across the continuum; and Province-wide strategies for program prioritization, growth and development (e.g., seniors’ mental health services).

11. That the Department of Health work with the DHAs/IWK to identify options to increase available funding for community and outpatient mental health services, to reduce unnecessary inpatient stays.

12. That the Department of Health continue to enhance collaboration across government departments by engaging the Department of Community Services and other governmental partners as appropriate in transformation activities related to mental health, at both the provincial and DHAs/IWK levels.

News Release: Province Accepts All Health System Review Recommendations

Department of Health
January 17, 2008 14:17

The province is taking action on recommendations from a provincial health system operational review to make Nova Scotia's health-care system more effective, efficient and sustainable for all Nova Scotians, now and in the future.

The government announced today, Jan. 17, that all 103 recommendations made by Corpus Sanchez International in the report titled Changing Nova Scotia's Health Care System: Creating Sustainability Through Transformation have been accepted and will begin to be implemented over the next three years.

"A thriving health-care system is critical to the future of Nova Scotia," said Premier Rodney MacDonald. "With the information in this report, we are ready to chart a path that will ensure our health-care system is safe, accessible appropriate, effective and efficient for generations to come."

The recommendations outlined in the report cover every aspect of the health-care system. It notes Nova Scotia's system is heavily focused hospital-based care, which is the most expensive way to deliver health-care services. It recommends a focus on community-based care, and restructuring across the system.

"Nova Scotians need and deserve a health-care system that supports all of their health-care needs, whether it is staying healthy, living with chronic disease, or end of life care," said Health Minister Chris d'Entremont.

The report was developed with input from thousands of health-care providers and interested groups, from every hospital across the province. It notes factors such as an aging population, poor health status of Nova Scotians, increasing demand for health services, health human resource challenges, and the cost of maintaining the system as reasons why the system must change to continue to meet the changing health needs of Nova Scotians.

"As health system leaders, we support the vision of transformation that focuses on quality and safety. In order for the health-care system to be truly sustainable, we must broaden our focus from the treatment of illness, to include maintaining and improving health, in partnership with our citizens," said Dr. Brendan Carr, vice-president of medicine, Capital District Health Authority.

In its response to the report, the province has outlined actions for four key areas: helping people stay healthy; addressing changing needs of seniors; supporting health professionals; and investing for better results. Specific initiatives include establishing a selfcare/telecare phone line for 24/7 health advice, establishing a health human resource strategy, reviewing pharmacy and laboratory services, improving the flow of patients throughout the hospital system, and the use of non-clinical support services.

"I am particularly excited to note that we will be engaging citizens in consultation on the development of a rural health strategy for the province, which will include addressing the issue of emergency health care," said Mr. d'Entrement. "As patients, caregivers and taxpayers, we all have a role to play in ensuring we have the best health-care system possible -- not only for ourselves, but for generations of Nova Scotians."

The Provincial Health Services Operational Review, an executive summary of the report, the province's response document and fact sheets about Nova Scotia's health-care system are available online at www.gov.ns.ca/health.

FOR BROADCAST USE:

The province is taking action on all 103 recommendations from a provincial health system operational review.

The recommendations will help make the health-care system more effective, efficient and sustainable for all Nova Scotians.

Premier Rodney MacDonald says with the information in the report, the province is ready to chart a path to ensure the health-care system is safe, accessible, appropriate, effective and efficient for generations to come.

The report says factors such as an aging population and the increasing demand for health services contribute to the need for changes to the health-care system.

In its response to the report, the province has outlined actions to take place in four key areas: helping people stay healthy; addressing changing needs of seniors; supporting health professionals; and investing for better results.

-30-

Media Contact:

Kim Silver
Department of Health
902-424-3034
E-mail: silverka@gov.ns.ca

Jan MacKinnon
Annapolis Valley Health
902-538-3443

Greg Boone
Cape Breton Health Authority
902-567-7791

Krista Wood
Colchester East Hants Health Authority
902-893-5554 ext. 2409

Ann Keddy
Cumberland Health Authority
902-661-1090

Heather MacKay
Guysborough Antigonish Strait Health Authority
902-867-4262

Eileen MacIsaac
Pictou County Health Authority
902-752-7600 ext. 1124

Theresa Hawkesworth
South Shore Health
902-527-2266

Barbara Johnson
South West Health

New resource charts course to recovery for people with schizophrenia

From the December 2007 issue of Canadian Psychiatry Aujourd’hui:

by Mary A. Metcalfe, M.S.

Warren Butcher is like many young people today. The 28-year-old worked at a number of part-time jobs before landing a full-time position that will finally give him weekends off. As the newest support worker in Winnipeg’s Program for Assertive Community Treatment (PACT), Warren has taken a personal step forward in his journey of recovery from schizophrenia.

Mr. Butcher experienced his first psychosis six years ago and was diagnosed five years ago.

“When we were first faced with his diagnosis we were frightened." His mother Amy, a registered nurse, remembers thinking, “What could I do? How could we help him? Who could we reach out to? Even with my medical knowledge, I didn’t know where to turn."

For patients and families facing that journey today, there is a new publication to help them navigate. Schizophrenia: The Journey to Recovery. A Consumer and Family Guide to Assessment and Treatment was a joint effort by the Canadian Psychiatric Association (CPA) and the Schizophrenia Society of Canada to produce a plain-language resource for those whose lives are affected by schizophrenia.

To read the entire article, click here.

Printed copies of Schizophrenia: The Journey to Recovery. A Consumer and Family Guide to Assessment and Treatment are available from the Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia by sending an email to ssns@ns.sympatico.ca.

Potential New Treatments Being Researched for Schizophrenia

A January 10th posting by Psych Central:

Schizophrenia remains one of the most challenging mental disorders to treat. New research published this month examines a number of possible treatments that hold promise in the treatment of schizophrenia. While these drugs are still in their infancy and far from being approved for human use for schizophrenia, the research suggests future schizophrenia treatment directions.

To read the remainder of this article, click here.


All of the research papers referred to in the above news story are available for free download from the January 1st issue of Biological Psychiatry, the theme of which is Schizophrenia: From Genetics to Treatment. Click here to view the Table of Contents of this issue and to download the papers.

Moving Forward Together:

Stakeholder perspectives on the priorities of The Mental Health Commission of Canada


From a report produced by the Mental Health Commission of Canada:

Introduction

Since its inception, the Mental Health Commission of Canada has been committed to working together with the many Canadians who care about mental health and mental illness. One of the first tasks we set for ourselves was to begin the process of building or strengthening stakeholder relationships. This report describes the results of a series of stakeholder consultations that kicked off this process.

Between October 9 and October 17, 2007, seven meetings were held in six cities across Canada: Toronto (two meetings), Saint John NB, Halifax, Vancouver, Edmonton and Winnipeg. These meetings were considered a first step in a broader initiative that will see the Mental Health Commission regularly reach out to stakeholders across the country. The resulting ongoing conversation will provide critical input to help guide our work.

Key informants in every city helped us identify possible participants from local groups and organizations, and approximately 75 people were invited to each meeting. Although we recognized that the invitees for this first round of meetings represented just a small sampling of stakeholders, every attempt was made to hear as wide a range of views from the field as possible.

Invited participants included:

• people who have experienced mental illness
• their family members
• formal service providers
• hospital personnel
• community groups
• regional planning bodies
• government
• police
  

These participants also represented different life stages, ethnocultural groups, Aboriginal communities, as well as a variety of perspectives.

Each invitee was given the opportunity to submit a short brief. Six to eight participating groups were also invited to present the main points of their brief in person at the meeting, in order to stimulate dialogue and lead into the discussion. The briefs were structured around two questions, framed within the context of the Commission’s three key initiatives: development of an anti-stigma program, a Knowledge Exchange Centre and a National Mental Health Strategy.

The questions are:

• What would you like to see the Commission accomplish over the next three years?
• How could your organization help the Commission and the mental health community to achieve these objectives?
  

The written briefs and face-to-face discussions in response to these questions provided us with a rich base of information. There were many consistent messages, but there were also distinct themes unique to each meeting, and some challenging divergent perspectives on issues and priorities. What came through clearly across all the meetings were a strong sense of optimism about the potential impact of the Commission, and enthusiasm for working with us to help achieve our common goals.

Preparation of this report involved taking all the data from the oral record and written briefs in all seven consultations, identifying common themes and categories and distilling the information into a coherent summary. Most points included represent the views of a number of participants; the source is identified for some very specific suggestions. The goal was to capture the most consistent messages in regard to the Commission’s three priority areas and its work in general, while retaining the integrity of the complete record as much as possible.

Despite best efforts, the process of clustering and distilling information meant that some discrete points, and many details, are not included. It is also important to note that the results reflect the participant mix in the consultations, and are not necessarily representative of stakeholder views in general.

To all of those who participated in this process, we offer our sincere thanks for sharing your valuable time and views. We have been truly impressed by the wisdom and passion behind every point made. Although only a few of these appear in the report exactly as stated or written, they all informed the analysis, and we will be keeping the complete record for ongoing reference.

To those who were not present in this first round of consultations, please stay in touch with us. We remain committed to continuing and expanding the conversation so that the emerging agenda of the Mental Health Commission reflects the interests and needs of its entire constituency across Canada.

Bonnie Pape
On behalf of the Mental Health Commission of Canada

To read the entire report, click here.

To read the Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia's October 12th submission to the Mental Health Commission of Canada, click here.

Pathways to Inclusion

Building a New Story with People and Communities

A new book by Canadians John Lord and Peggy Hutchison:

Pathways to Inclusion: Building a New Story with People and Communities is an examination of various perspectives on disability and provides insightful discussion on the current need for social innovation to move vulnerable citizens from areas of exclusion to social inclusion.

Pathways to Inclusion addresses the organizational strategies that have been used in the past and highlights areas for change. Human service organizations are examined, pinpointing common characteristics that have led to improved quality of life for people with disabilities and other vulnerable citizens. This book includes a discussion of discriminatory social policy and outlines characteristics of pathways to inclusion, detailing the need for social innovation and a New Story.

Well-researched, with clear dialogue and interspersed with insightful anecdotes, Pathways to Inclusion inspires change within both human services and the greater community. This book is an invaluable resource to educators, advocates, citizens, families, and practitioners in the fields of disability studies, aging, and related human services.

About the Authors

John Lord is a community researcher and human service consultant. He was a founder of the Centre for Research and Education in Human Services, and the Centre's first Director from 1982 to 1995. John has published widely in the areas of deinstitutionalization, independent living, empowerment, and innovative community supports for vulnerable citizens. John has been the co-founder of several innovations, including the Support Clusters Project, the Welcoming Home Initiative, and Foundations for Life.

Peggy Hutchison is a Professor in Recreation and Leisure Studies at Brock University in St. Catharines, Ontario. She was a founder of the Centre for Research and Education in Human Services. She has been actively involved in research, education, and advocacy related to inclusion for the past twenty-five years both nationally and internationally. Her areas of interest include: empowerment, inclusion, IL movement, relationships, and community building. In addition, she is a long time editor of the Journal of Leisurability and advisor for Kitchener-Waterloo People First.

Thanks go to the National Network for Mental Health for bringing this book to my attention.

Focus Group Participants Needed - HRM

Project Title:

Pharmacist’s services for patients with mental illness: a descriptive survey of patient experiences and preferences.

Researchers at Capital Health will be holding a focus group during the week of February 4th to 8th. The date, time, and location will be selected to suit those who volunteer to participate. This one time focus group will take 90 minutes to complete.

We are looking for 6-8 people to participate.

The aim of the focus group is to get feedback on a short survey about pharmacy services for people with mental illnesses.

People who are 19 years of age or older and who have taken or take a medication for a mental illness may participate in the focus group.

If you are interested or would like to receive more information, please contact: Dr. David Gardner at 473-4955.

This project (CDHA-RS/2007-313) has received research ethics approval by the Capital Health Research Ethics Board.

The Risk for Schizophrenia From Childhood and Adult Infections

To read this editorial written by Alan S. Brown, M.D., M.P.H. (pictured), and published in the January 2008 issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry, click here (downloads a PDF).


Photograph courtesy of the Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Centre.

Elaine Purpel: Mental illness course helps families cope

To read this January 5th news-record.com article on NAMI's Family-to-Family Education Program, click here.

FDA Evaluating New Drugs for Schizophrenia Treatment

"Despite an earlier setback with bifeprunox, three new antipsychotic drugs — asenapine [molecular structure illustrated on right], paliperidone palmitate injection, and iloperidone — have been submitted to the FDA for review."

To read this article written by Jun Yan and published in the January 4th issue of Psychiatric News, click here.

And now for something completely different ...

... from the British Columbia Schizophrenia Society.

Naked Jumpers take the Plunge

Bungy fans let it all hang out to raise money for mental health organization

An article published in the January 4 the edition of the Nanaimo Daily News:

By Paul Walton

Jumpers at a popular annual nude bungy jump will be removing a stigma as they remove their clothes.

The event, set for Feb. 23 and Feb. 24 at WildPlay at the Bungy Zone south of Nanaimo, will raise awareness and money for the B.C. Schizophrenia Society. WildPlay president and general manager Tom Benson said this is the second year the event will benefit the Schizophrenia Society.

Benson said his own experience in seeing schizophrenia in a family member drew his organization to link up with the society.

"They made a big difference . . . and we think mental illness is under-supported," said Benson. "We said, 'let's make a difference where it really counts.'"

Nadine Saunders, a spokeswoman with the Schizophrenia Society, said last year's event pulled in $4,000, and they hope to double that this year. And though the cost to naked bungy jumpers is $25 (and the regular $99 for clothed leapers), oglers will be charged $10 to get in the park on that weekend.

The drop is 50 metres to the bottom of the Nanaimo River gorge with a harness around the ankles. Asked if she would participate, Saunders was resolute.

"No way!" she said, but noted she will be on the platform for both days to assist with donations.

All proceeds go to the Schizophrenia Society, and Benson hopes to see people from all over the Island in a generous mood on both days.

"We'd love to see support from the community, people offering sponsorships and making donations," he said.

Saunders said she was a little concerned when the naked angle was raised to the Schizophrenia Society board last year.

"A lot of our members are older, and I thought it would be more controversial but all our board members had no problem with it," she said.

While fundraising is important, both Saunders and Benson said the event is also important to raise awareness about schizophrenia. Benson said that most people are touched by mental illness among family or friends, if not personally.

Click here for the event poster (PDF).

Event location not exactly as illustrated.