- Schizophrenics Anonymous
Schizophrenics Anonymous is a
self-help group to help people who are affected byschizophrenia to cope with the disease.History
The program was established in the
Detroit area in 1985. [http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,34386-1,00.html Working Their Way Back] , by James Willwerth, "Time", Nov. 14, 1999] The founder was Joanne Verbanic, who had been diagnosed with schizophrenia in 1970.cite web |url=http://www.nami.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Inform_Yourself/Upcoming_Events/Convention/2005_Highlights/Presentations3/05NAMIconv-M10562.ppt |title=Schizophrenics Anonymous |accessdate=2008-02-10 |author=Linda Whitten and Bruce Black |date=2005 |format=PPT, slide 4 |work=NAMI (the National Alliance on Mental Illness) website |quote=Joanne Verbanic / Founder of Schizophrenics Anonymous / 1970 diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia / 1985 with Mental Health Association in Michigan Founded Schizophrenics Anonymous / Motivated to erase stigma / “The stigma is harder to deal with than the illness itself.” / Spokesperson at Mental Health conferences, universities, schools, clubs, TV, radio in an effort to educate the public.] Shortly before forming SA, Verbanic had publicly disclosed her diagnosis and had discussed her illness on national television programs in an effort to challenge the stigma associated with schizophrenia by educating the public. [ [http://www.healthyplace.com/Communities/Thought_Disorders/schizo/articles/stigma.asp Schizophrenics Find Stigma Is Even Worse Than the Disease] , HealthyPlace.com,September 27 ,2003 ] She has continued to be active as a spokesperson for persons with schizophrenia and other mental illness and was a 2006 recipient of a Lilly Reintegration Award in recognition of her lifetime contributions to themental health community. [http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/micro_stories.pl?ACCT=916306&TICK=LLY&STORY=/www/story/10-10-2006/0004448465&EDATE=Oct+10,+2006 Eli Lilly and Company Announces 2006 Lilly Reintegration Awards Recipients] , Eli Lilly press release,October 10 ,2006 ]By 2007, there were more than 150 local SA groups in 31 U.S. states and groups in
Australia ,Brazil ,Canada ,Mexico ,France ,India , andVenezuela . [http://www.recovery-world.com/Schizophrenics-Anonymous.html Recovery World] ]Program principles
The SA program is based on a twelve-step model,cite web |url=http://www.nami.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Inform_Yourself/Upcoming_Events/Convention/2005_Highlights/Presentations3/05NAMIconv-M10562.ppt |title=Schizophrenics Anonymous |accessdate=2008-02-10 |author=Linda Whitten and Bruce Black |date=2005 |format=PPT, slide 11 |work=NAMI (the National Alliance on Mental Illness) website |quote=Initially based on 12 Steps of AA / Self-help only—not advocacy or group therapy] but includes just six steps.cite web |url=http://www.nami.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Inform_Yourself/Upcoming_Events/Convention/2005_Highlights/Presentations3/05NAMIconv-M10562.ppt |title=Schizophrenics Anonymous |accessdate=2008-02-10 |author=Linda Whitten and Bruce Black |date=2005 |format=PPT, slides 25-31 |work=NAMI (the National Alliance on Mental Illness) website] The organization describes the program's purpose as helping participants to learn about schizophrenia, "restore dignity and sense of purpose," obtain "fellowship, positive support, and companionship," improve their attitudes about their lives and their illnesses, and take "positive steps towards recovery." [http://sanonymous.com/navigation/what_is_sa.html What Is Schizophrenics Anonymous?] , Schizophrenics Anonymous website]
ee also
*
Self-help groups for mental health
*Treatment of schizophrenia References
External links
* [http://www.sanonymous.org Schizophrenics Anonymous web-site]
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