2020: Loss of mental health teams a 'step backward,' police warn.

Loss of mental health teams a 'step backward,' police warn.



Police in Lanark County are warning the loss of a program that pairs mental health nurses with front-line officers is a "step backward" in how they deal with vulnerable people in the community.



The mobile crisis response teams involving Lanark County OPP and Smiths Falls police were given a two-year provincial grant of $158,000. The money runs out in March, and will not be renewed.



Participants say the program has helped reduce the number of people taken into custody.



"I've seen guys down in the cells after they've just faced some serious charges, I've seen people who are missing a purse and we found out they have dementia, or you just see teenagers in distress," said nurse Christine Lapeer, who responds to calls and conducts follow-up visits with Const. Aaron Tompkins of the Smiths Falls Police Service.



https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/opp-smiths-falls-police-mental-health-crisis-1.5488509



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What does the Schizophrenia Society of Canada advocate for?



Advocating on behalf of individuals and families affected by schizophrenia is an important part of the SSC's mission. Our organization is committed to improving the quality of life for those affected by schizophrenia and psychosis through education and mental health resources, support programs, public policy and research.



The SSC's advocacy initiatives are directed by the Public Policy and Advocacy Committee of the Board of Directors. In 2006, the Advocacy Committee established several priorities for the SSC's advocacy efforts. They are:



Canadian Mental Health Commission

Decriminalization

Early Interventions

Currently, the SSC is focusing its advocacy resources on the Canadian Mental Health Commission and Access to Schizophrenia Treatment Options. For more on these efforts, please see the Advocacy Issues page.



The SSC has been an active advocate on behalf of individuals affected by mental illness. To read more about our advocacy efforts on a number of issues, please view see the Position Papers and Reports section.



Learn More

Advocacy Issues:

Get the latest news and updates on the SSC's ongoing advocacy initiatives.



Advocacy Resources:



"What is Advocacy" article from The Bulletin newsletter

Advocacy Tips

How You Can Help:

Find out how you can help advocate on important issues impacting those with mental illness



https://www.schizophrenia.ca/advocacy.php



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Schizophrenia Society of Ottawa: What Causes Schizophrenia?



Schizophrenia occurs in every race, culture and socio-economic group. It occurs equally in men and women. In Canada, more than 360,000 people live with the disease, of which 140,000 live in Ontario. The illness usually begins when people are in their teens or early twenties, although it can occur later in life. Because it strikes young people in their formative years, it is often referred to as "youth's greatest disabler."



Men usually develop schizophrenia at an earlier age than women. In most cases, schizophrenia begins gradually – so much so that it is often months or years before the individual or their family recognizes that something is wrong. With some people, however, the onset can be very rapid.



Currently, researchers do not know the exact cause or causes of schizophrenia but know that there are several contributing factors. It is known that genetics play a role. While we do know that someone who has a relative with schizophrenia has a greater chance of developing the disease than someone who does not, genetics does not account for all cases of schizophrenia. Researchers are also looking at viruses that may affect brain development during the second trimester of pregnancy.



Symptoms of Schizophrenia and Psychosis



The first sign of schizophrenia is often psychosis, a mental condition altering a person’s ability to perceive reality



Other symptoms can include profound disruptions in thinking affecting language, perception and sense of self as well as psychotic experiences, e.g., hearing voices, hallucinations or delusions



Cognitive symptoms include difficulties with attention, concentration and memory.



Schizophrenia can also impair brain functioning, affecting a person’s ability to integrate well into their social environment, i.e. earn a livelihood and maintain healthy relationships



How is Schizophrenia Treated?



Schizophrenia varies in severity from one person to another, and treatment will often depend on an individual’s personal health and needs. Some people will require hospitalization during the course of their illness - some for longer periods than others, while others can effectively receive treatment in the community.



Families and individuals affected by this illness require a broad range of support, depending on the issues that they encounter. Treatment can include:

Psychiatric treatment such as medication, hospital-based care, support and care provided directly by a psychiatrist, etc.,



Psychosocial therapies. SSO provides Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for psychosis (CBT-p) workshops for caregivers and professionals Community supports and services such as counselling, community-based mental health care services and programs such as ACT teams, peer support programs,

Social supports such as housing, income assistance and employment support,

Treatment and medication is often trial and error process, usually involving a number of attempts and adjustments before the right treatment is found. Even when the right combination of therapy and medication is determined, individuals with schizophrenia can experience relapses and may require additional support to follow their treatment plan. Relapse in symptoms and treatment non-adherence are very common and are a natural part of the recovery process.



Health Quality Ontario has developed helpful guidelines for care detailing how to best support adults with schizophrenia in the community they live in as well as in the hospital, when needed. You can find more information about these here.



Chances for Recovery?



3 in 10 people recover quite well and are eventually able to return to resume their previous lives



3 in 10 people recover to a lesser extent, but are usually able to live independently



3 in 10 people require more extensive help, such as living in supportive housing or in a supportive care facility



Sadly, the remaining 10% do not survive schizophrenia and usually die due to suicide



Recovery and living well with this is illness is now considered to be a realistic possibility. Rather than a total lack of symptoms, recovery means living well with the illness.



About Schizophrenia



About Psychosis



Psychosis is a debilitating mental condition that alters how a person thinks, perceives the world and ultimately how they feel, behave and function. Psychosis may be caused by a psychiatric illness such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. It can also be caused by brain injury, infection or substance abuse. Symptoms can include delusions, hallucinations, disorganized thinking and /or bizarre behavior. Onset generally develops slowly over several months or even years and typically occurs during late adolescence or early adulthood. Psychosis can impact all facets of a person’s life, such as career, education, relationships and employment. Each year about 12 of out every 100,000 people in Ontario will experience their first episode of psychosis and the overwhelming majority of them will be adolescents and young adults between the ages of 14 and 35 (Jablensky, et al., 1992 ; Ministry of Health and Long Term Care: Early Psychosis Intervention Program Standards, 2011).



What is Schizophrenia?



Schizophrenia is a chronic but highly treatable brain disease



Schizophrenia is a chronic illness – most people who are diagnosed will require various levels of support for most of their lives.



Schizophrenia affects everyone – it occurs in every race, culture or socio-economic group. It occurs equally in men and women.



People can – and do – get better with the help of:



Family and friends



Community-based services, social and peer supports, counselling and crisis services



Doctors, medications, hospitals



Healthy lifestyle, exercise and healthy eating



Employment and education



Supportive housing



View an inforgraphic with information on schizophrenia here.



https://www.schizophrenia.on.ca/getattachment/News-Events/Schizophrenia-and-the-Mental-Health-System/SSO-Public_v14.pdf.aspx?lang=en-CA



http://www.schizophrenia.on.ca/Get-Help/Resources/Henson-Test



Do you have a story to tell? Consider joining our Speakers Bureau!



Our Speakers Bureau features speakers who want to share their personal experience with mental illness. Sharing stories of how mental illness has impacted them directly or how it affected them through a family member or loved one, their stories serve to educate others about schizophrenia and open the conversation to a better understanding of what it means to live with it.



Raising awareness and sharing stories about mental illness helps us with our goal of making a positive difference in the lives of individuals, families and communities impacted by schizophrenia and psychosis.



If your organization needs a presenter to speak about their experience of living with a mental illness, or about being a family member/caregiver of an individual living with mental illness, please download and complete the Request a Speaker – Submission Form and send to communications@schizophrenia.on.ca



For information on early intervention or to speak to a counselor, contact Ask the Expert at asktheexpert@schizophrenia.on.ca or 1-855-449-9949 Monday to Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST.



Learn more about schizophrenia and psychosis.



https://www.schizophrenia.on.ca/Get-Help/Resources/About-Schizophrenia



https://www.schizophrenia.on.ca/About-Us/Mission,-Vision-and-Mandate



Find out more about the act here: http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/mcss/programs/accessibility/index.aspx



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Smiths Falls Squalor: What ACT Team and South East LHIN deem suitable living conditions.



https://youtu.be/61mzn9SgWgU



SMITHS FALLS SQUALOR PT 2 – Update



https://youtu.be/MCIKfH27Pp0



SMITHS FALLS SQUALOR PT 2 – Updated



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAoRhv4ZXO0&t=10s



In this recording a representative of the Smiths Falls police explains to a property owner why he can't remove her 52 year old schizophrenic son from her home..



https://youtu.be/l3VAtBiN1qA



Still failing to ACT.



https://youtu.be/WWbmkKM0GE8



Families of Schizophrenia Support Group



https://www.facebook.com/groups/268866299859344/



We paid for three days in a hotel room (and deposit) and offered to put his things in storage and offered to buy him food till he could get a hold of his trustee. He refused.