The BC Schizophrenia Society Calls on British Columbians to #StandAgainstStigma this Nationwide Schizophrenia and Psychosis Consciousness Day

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Marketing campaign launches to deal with stigma as new figures counsel that roughly 1 in 55 folks in Canada are affected by schizophrenia

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Might 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The British Columbia Schizophrenia Society (BCSS), a provincial non-profit group devoted to supporting people and households affected by schizophrenia and extreme and chronic psychological sickness, is marking Nationwide Schizophrenia and Psychosis Consciousness Day (Might 24) with the launch of #StandAgainstStigma, a marketing campaign to deal with misconceptions and stigma surrounding schizophrenia by means of training.

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“For a lot too lengthy, schizophrenia has been shrouded with misconceptions and stigma, resulting in profound misunderstandings concerning the sickness and people residing with it,” says Faydra Aldridge, CEO of the British Columbia Schizophrenia Society. “With the launch of our marketing campaign, we’re decided to problem stereotypes which have unfairly burdened people, households and caregivers to foster a society the place schizophrenia is met with hope as a substitute of disgrace and discrimination.”

Schizophrenia and different extreme and chronic psychological diseases can impression anybody – they don’t discriminate. Whereas the prevalence of schizophrenia is commonly reported as 1%, the BCSS launched a paper¹ (based mostly on Canadian and worldwide research) outlining a suggestion to undertake 1.8% because the schizophrenia prevalence charge in Canada, with the understanding that it may very well be greater. Undiagnosed schizophrenia and underreporting are prevalent as a result of widespread stigma, slim definitions of extreme and chronic psychological sickness, and the exclusion of sure populations.

“Whereas we’ve come a good distance in how we speak about mind diseases, corresponding to schizophrenia, schizophrenia spectrum problems, and bipolar dysfunction, we nonetheless have a protracted option to go,” says Faydra Aldridge, CEO of BCSS. “By means of training and consciousness, we hope to foster a extra compassionate and supportive society for all these affected by extreme and chronic psychological sickness and their relations.”

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Whereas there isn’t any ‘treatment’ for schizophrenia, with well timed and applicable remedy and care, folks with schizophrenia can have improved signs and lead wholesome, comfortable and fulfilling lives, employment and relationships. Regardless of this, solely 15% of Canadians with schizophrenia are employed, with stigma and lack of help or entry to applicable remedy being the most important contributors.

“Nationwide Schizophrenia and Psychosis Consciousness Day has turn out to be an impactful day for our household, because it helps to create consciousness and begin conversations about critical psychological sickness,” says Suzie Warneke who has a member of the family with schizophrenia. “Strolling alongside somebody who lives with a psychological sickness will be horrifying, lonely, unsure and hopeless, however when a caring, secure and supportive neighborhood will be discovered all these emotions will be modified. Realizing that you’re not strolling this journey alone is a vital a part of experiencing hope for everybody concerned. BCSS has supplied our household with a secure and caring place to be educated, discover help and even present areas for us to share our story with others to assist scale back the stigma related to psychological sickness and supply hope to others who could also be on an analogous journey. As we speak our household will likely be carrying purple and able to share our story with others as we search to cut back stigma and improve data.”

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In honour of Nationwide Schizophrenia and Psychosis Consciousness Day on Might twenty fourth, landmarks all through British Columbia are set to light up in purple. This symbolic act highlights the province’s dedication to psychological wellness and its continued help for people and households coping with schizophrenia and extreme and chronic psychological sickness.

By embracing the #LightUpInPurple motion and sharing footage on social media, we are able to strengthen and promote understanding whereas breaking the stigma related to schizophrenia, psychosis, and different critical and chronic psychological diseases.

On Friday, Might twenty fourth, hold a watch out for these landmarks, and extra which are lighting up in purple:

• BC Place (Vancouver, BC)
• Bloedel Conservatory (Vancouver, BC)
• New West Metropolis Corridor (New Westminster, BC)
• Vancouver Conference Centre (Vancouver, BC)
• BC Legislature (Victoria, BC)
• Vancouver Metropolis Corridor and Burrard Avenue Bridge (Vancouver, BC)
• Surrey Civic Plaza (Surrey, BC)
• Science World (Vancouver, BC)
• Victoria Avenue Bridge (Path, BC)
• Columbia River Skywalk Bridge (Path, BC)
• White Rock Pier (White Rock, BC)
• Kelowna Normal Hospital (Kelowna, BC)
• World’s Largest Hockey Stick (Duncan, BC) 

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Let’s come collectively to construct a extra compassionate and inclusive society and guarantee everybody receives the care and understanding they deserve. BCSS encourages everybody throughout the province to snap a photograph of those landmarks on that day and share it on social media with the tag #LightItUpPurple and #StandAgainstStigma.

Along with lighting up landmarks, we’re happy to share that BCSS will display screen the documentary ‘Madness: The Psychological Well being Disaster‘ by director, Wendy Hill-Tout, and host a panel dialogue recognizing Nationwide Schizophrenia and Psychosis Consciousness Day on Saturday, Might 25, 2024. This occasion will happen on the Rio Theatre from 12:00 to 2:15 pm. To be taught extra about this occasion and get tickets, please click on right here.

For extra details about the BC Schizophrenia Society (BCSS), extreme and chronic psychological diseases and psychosis, Nationwide Schizophrenia and Psychosis Consciousness Day and/or data on how you can donate to help BCSS’ packages and companies, go to www.bcss.org. You will discover the media package right here.

ABOUT BC Schizophrenia Society (BCSS)
The British Columbia Schizophrenia Society is a non-profit group based in 1982 by households and associates of individuals residing with schizophrenia. Since then, BCSS has grown right into a province-wide household help system.

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BCSS offers very important front-line training and help for households throughout British Columbia impacted by schizophrenia, schizoaffective dysfunction, and different extreme and chronic psychological diseases. BCSS is devoted to growing consciousness and advocating for added and more practical companies for folks with these mind diseases and their relations.

BCSS Mission
To help households affected by schizophrenia and different critical psychological diseases in British Columbia by means of training, advocacy, and analysis.

BCSS Imaginative and prescient
A province the place these affected by schizophrenia and different critical psychological diseases obtain efficient remedy and help, and relations are a necessary associate inside the psychological well being system.

CONTACT

Yulu PR
Alicia Arruda, Alicia.Arruda@yulupr.com

BC Schizophrenia Society
Alex Wyatt, communications@bcss.org

¹ Prevalence paper: https://www.bcss.org/wp-content/uploads/sources/Schizophrenia-Prevalence-Place-FINAL.pdf

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