About

The mission of our schizophrenia association is: to improve the quality of life for those affected by schizophrenia and psychosis through education, support programs, public policy and research.

The Schizophrenia Society of Canada is a national registered charity that has been in operation since 1979.

We work with 10 provincial societies to help individuals with schizophrenia and their families have a better quality of life while we search for a cure. At SSC we are committed to:

Raising awareness and educating the public to help reduce mental disorders stigma and discrimination
Supporting families and individuals
Advocating for legislative change and improved schizophrenia treatment and mental health services
Supporting research through the SSC Foundation and other independent efforts

Annual Reports

Annual Awards

Board of Directors

Florence Budden, President
New Foundland
Phil Rogers, Treasurer
Nova Scotia
Jim Adamson, Past President
Alberta
Jeffrey Costain
Ontario
Celine Dupuis
Quebec
Fred Dawe
British Columbia
Julia Gajewski-Noel
New Brunswick
Paul King-Fisher
Ontario
Ev McCormack
Saskatchewan
Renea Mohammed
British Columbia
David Albert Newman
Manitoba
Darren Peters
Prince Edward Island
Dr. Philip Tibbo
Nova Scotia
Norm Tasevski
Ontario
Odette Beaudoin
Quebec
Wilma Schroeder
Manitoba

Staff

Chris Summerville
Chief Executive Officer
chris[at]schizophrenia.ca
Catherine Willinsky
Manager
National Programs and Projects
willinskyc[at]schizophrenia.ca
Sandra McWilliams
Administrative Assistant
sandra[at]schizophrenia.ca

Welcome from the President

What is schizophrenia and what is psychosis? Both of them are serious mental illnesses. Three percent of Canadian men and women will experience psychosis. One in one hundred will experience some form of schizophrenia. While these conditions are rare in childhood, they usually have their onset in the mid-to late teen years. This web site containes very usefull mental health resources, being developed as an important first step to answering your questions and understanding recovery for people living with schizophrenia and psychosis.

People living with mental illnesses like schizophrenia have talents, goals and feelings just like anyone else. Yet mental illness can have a profoundly negative effect, not only in the lives of those living with it, but their families and their communities. Individuals living with mental illness and their families are often shunned, becoming the targets of social prejudice. People living with schizophrenia may also face poverty, homelessness and high risk for suicide.

Lack of schizophrenia treatment services has left many people living with schizophrenia inappropriately placed in jails and prisons. Medication, psycho-social rehabilitation, community-based supports and recovery -oriented mental health services can help people living with schizophrenia and psychosis lead meaningful and satisfying lives.

The Schizophrenia Society of Canada exists primarily as an advocacy organization helping to shape public policy, calling for a mental health recovery-oriented system, and partnering with others to reduce social prejudice, discrimination and mental disorders stigma.

Psychosis and schizophrenia treatment does exist. Recovery of a quality of life is possible. Recovery is being able to live beyond the limitations of mental illness and experience social inclusion. And yet, while such mental health recovery is possible, it takes the support of a caring community!

Florence Budden, BN, President