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This comment is not strictly related to schizophrenia, but to the stigma attached to mental illness in general. As a regular listener to the BBC Worldservice, this morning I heard an announcement from Germany that yesterday a famous soccer player died by suicide. The European soccer world is in shock as it now appears that the player had severe depression and said in a note that he couldn't continue. The BBC interviewer was discussing the incident with a sports psychologist and talked about the tremendous pressure that goes with playing any sport at an international level. An tragic situation.
The interviewer questioned whether or not the athlete should have just "given up" and not played soccer. Twice, the phrase "given up" was used . This is a classic example of the stigma and ignorance those with mental illness face. "Giving up" connotes failure and a lack of will.
When other athletes have an illness or injury which affects their ability to play, the situation is accommodated and supported through physical therapy, medication and/or an adjusted play schedule. There isn't the same suggestion that the athlete with a bad knee just "give up" on their sport.
This kind of interview does nothing to help people see mental illness in the same light as other illnesses. What is particularly upsetting is that millions of people around the world listen to the BBC and this morning have had the societal message that mental illness is an issue of will and personal strength reinforced. SEM
I've had schizophrenia for 26 years and have always enjoyed creative writing. I didn't write for many years due to illness but about 15 years ago I began to get the mood back to write. In addition to poetry I've composed music and made two demo tapes. Also, after studying playwriting at Workman Arts, I wrote a full length comedy and three short comedies. I helped run a chapter when this group used to be the OFOS and then became involved with the Canadian Mental Health Association Toronto Branch on their Board of Directors. Now, I do advocacy as a menber of the ODSP Action Coalition which is a leading group of activists dedicated to the improvement of ODSP. Any feedback on my poetry can be sent to
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Whisper of sorrow in azure sky Gently bids the clouds to die Billows crashing staunch and cruel Imply the sand is just a fool
Sudden squalls of callous clatter Vex my mind until it scatters Misty drops cascading down Revealing but a hapless clown
Rocky granite’s erupting fury Inflames my mind annealed with worry Mutant motions bending ground Shift my space and twist my sound
Sweltry ozone fierce as fire Condemns my busy bones to tire Rush of hail from heaven’s vent Destroys the calm from where it’s sent
Powder gems of average note Crack the lips and parch the throat Temperate ramblings sad and droll Indulge the mind and ease the soul
As Winter’s chill subsides for Spring The robin greets its cue to sing A knot secures my battered rope My heart yet anchored deep in hope
Renewed By Neil Howard
My eroded ego creates A murky consciousness; Voices stab the brain Robbing me of inner peace; Writing is my salvation; My words and music Denote my creativity Is alive; Years of slumber My face in a pillow Unable to move; I now rise with the sun And not in moonlight; I do now What was once impossible; It torments when side effects Take their toll; Perseverance is the armor Of the survivor; It’s never perfect; Doom can creep in again And bed not the world Becomes my domain; A song, a friend, my pet Can help rebuild my mood And I resume life; It’s a cycle of ups and downs And little gains each day; My life is renewed As sure as buds blossom into fruit And flowers exult in Spring
I am emotionally and physically ill from being a caregiver for my brother with schizophrenia. He is totally delusional most of the time and cannot see he needs help. He has suffered for many years but it's escalating since our father died a year and a half ago. He is on old monthly meds but they are not working. There are 12 step guidelines in other groups like caregivers dealing with loved ones with addiction. What is there for caregivers (any seminars? guidelines on how to preserve our own health and emotional wellbeing? Any courses in teaching family/friends techniques (like a counselor does) in communication skills when talking to someone who is unable to communicate logically? Both the above desperately needed.
This year, Strengthening Families Together is being offered in two locations; one downtown and one in the north end of the city. If you are a family member and are interested in participating in this 10 week psycho-educational program please contact 1-800-449-6367 ext.229. Both locations are starting the week of October 12th, from 7:00 to 9:00 pm. Space is limited, sign up today!
Well, I am very excited because in just a little more than 7 weeks I will be attending my first ever SSO Iris Ball. I started at SSO in November of 2008 and have been working diligently on all of SSO’s Toronto fundraising events. I have to be honest, they rock! The Iris Ball will be no exception! I don’t know if it’s the music, the food, or the dresses that make me enjoy galas so much, but I can certainly say that the 2009 Iris Ball: 30 Years Young will not disappoint. The Great Hall at Hart House on the U of T campus is the perfect place to celebrate SSO’s 30 years of providing a reason to hope. I haven’t had anything to get all dressed up for in a while, so I’m going to take advantage of this opportunity and go all out. Watch out Iris Ball - Here I come!
presentation to the select committee on mental health and addictions
Written by mary alberti
Thursday, 17 September 2009 01:40
Yesterday, Vani Jain and I had the opportunity to present to the select committee. our presentation was well received and we will be posting it on our website. What has been incredible for SSO in relation to this process is the number of individuals across Ontario who have presented and mentioned that they are a part of SSO. How great is this! It really feels like together we can have a significant impact and make a difference.
MARATHONING AND SCHIZOPHRENIA By Michael Alzamora SSO Volunteer September 7, 2009 Welcome to my blog. Since May, 2008, I adopted a healthy lifestyle by combining good nutrition and running. I was compelled to do so after a blood result in February 2008 came back with a high content of fat in my blood. It is an ongoing journey that began one faithful day in May, 2008 when I decided to go out the door and walk. Little by little I started running. Today I’m in my final three weeks of training for running my first marathon: The Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, a distance of 42.2 km to be held Sunday, September 27, 2009. After a year and a half of training, I’m beginning to see similarities between preparing for a marathon and living with schizophrenia. In order to succeed in life with a debilitating illness like Schizophrenia most health care professionals tell those afflicted with the illness that they should set small realistic goals culminating in a rewarding larger goal. Small goals may be taking courses to improve one’s education and be around a social environment outside the mental health community. A larger goal may be using your newly acquired educational and social skills to find employment. In running, it is impossible to finish a marathon without physical and mental preparation. The very first thing a sedentary non athlete must do is establish a baseline aerobic fitness level. In my case, I began my first eight weeks of training (May 2008), until I was able to run / walk for fifty minutes three times a week. Once I reached this baseline, I hovered in it throughout the winter. In spring 2009 I decided to train for a half marathon. Little by little, and giving myself plenty of time I increased my mileage until I was ready for the race. I’m proud to say that I successfully completed the Mississauga, 2009 half marathon [21.1 km] held May 10, 2009. It was one of the happiest days of my life. I can’t stop looking at my finisher’s medal. My culminating goal as a runner is to complete The Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, this September. After, I will decide which distance is the most suitable for me. Training for the full marathon has been difficult. I have struggled with the long training runs. On my next blog I will talk about my successes and struggles which I’m facing as I prepare for the marathon. I will concentrate on the long training runs and their relationship with schizophrenia. Until then, Michael Alzamora
