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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMay 24 Marks National Schizophrenia Awareness Day
Voices Worth HearingLANSING, Mich., May 1, 2003 – The voices of the 2.7 million Americans with schizophrenia will be heard on May 24 as part of the sixth annual National Schizophrenia Awareness Day. Declared by the National Schizophrenia Foundation, this special observance helps to raise public awareness and reduce the stigma about schizophrenia.
“The stigma is often harder to deal with than the illness itself,” said Joanne Verbanic, Founder of the Schizophrenics Anonymous (SA) Self-Help Network and Board Member of the National Schizophrenia Foundation.
Affecting about 1 percent of the world’s population, schizophrenia does not discriminate against race, gender or social class. Like heart disease and diabetes, schizophrenia is a biologically based disorder. Persons with schizophrenia typically have difficulty distinguishing between what is real and what is not, and are often unresponsive and withdrawn.
Scientists do not have unanimous agreement as to the cause of schizophrenia; however, signs of the disease generally appear between the ages of 18 and 25. Although schizophrenia is usually a lifelong illness like diabetes, a majority of persons can effectively treat their symptoms through modern medicines and therapies to lead a more normal life.
The most familiar symptoms of schizophrenia are hallucinations – false sensations – and delusions – false beliefs. Hearing voices that others do not hear is the most common type of hallucination, but hallucinations may also consist of visions, or certain perceptions of touch, smell or taste. Delusions, on the other hand, are beliefs that have no basis in reality, such as thinking that the government is spying on you, or that persons on television are talking to you.
Contrary to common media portrayals, persons with schizophrenia are not prone to violence. Rather, they are typically withdrawn and prefer to be left alone. In fact, suicide is a serious risk for people with schizophrenia. About 20 to 40 percent of people with schizophrenia attempt to commit suicide, and about 10 percent of them are successful in their attempt.
An early pioneer in the field of psychiatry in the late 18th Century, French physician Philippe Pinel believed even then that persons with schizophrenia were not violent. Dr. Pinel startled his colleagues when he ordered his staff to free mental patients from the chains holding them anchored to the walls of the Paris men’s “insane” asylum. This year’s National Schizophrenia Awareness Day marks the 210th anniversary of that day – May 24, 1793.
To many, this day signified the beginning of humane treatment for the mentally ill. Yet, despite today’s effective therapies, many afflicted with schizophrenia and related disorders remain confined by societal misconceptions, fear and ignorance. That’s why the National Schizophrenia Foundation (NSF) was formed in 1999.
The mission of the National Schizophrenia Foundation is to pursue the development and maintenance of support groups for individuals, and their friends and family members, affected by schizophrenia and related disorders; and to be a broad resource for all persons regarding schizophrenia and related disorders through education, information, and public awareness services.
In addition to educating the public about schizophrenia, the NSF administers Schizophrenics Anonymous (SA) support groups to create a safe haven from the ills of social stigma endured by persons with schizophrenia. The first SA support group was founded in Detroit in 1985 by Verbanic, who created a six-step program similar to the 12-step program of Alcoholics Anonymous. Today, SA is an international support network with over 160 groups worldwide, helping more than 5,000 people since its inception.
“We in SA believe in recovery, medications and professional help,” says Verbanic, who has now dedicated her life to erase the stigma and help others, like herself, who are diagnosed with schizophrenia.
Persons interested in learning more about schizophrenia or SA may contact the National Schizophrenia Foundation at (800) 482-9534 or visit the following Web sites: www.SAnonymous.org or www.NSFoundation.org.
Supporting Agencies for National Schizophrenia Awareness Day 2003 include the American Association of Suicidology (AAS), the American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA), the Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health (FFCMH), the International Association of Psychosocial Rehabilitation Services (IAPSRS), the Mental Health Association in Michigan (MHAM), the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI), the National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression (NARSAD), the National Association for Children’s Behavioral Health (NACBH), the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), and the National Mental Health Association (NMHA). Corporate supporters include Janssen Pharmaceutica, Bristol-Myers Squibb and Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc.
Corporate supporters include Janssen Pharmaceutica, Bristol-Myers Squibb and Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc.