Resources

online resources

Below is a list of Key Resources that may be helpful in response to the COVID-19 pandemic:

Mental Health Support

• 24 Hour Mental Health Line: 1 (877) 303-2642

• If you are in crisis, the Distress Centre line can be reached at

  403-266-4357

• Social Distancing Information

• Alberta Health Services (be sure to scroll down this page to find ‘COVID-19 Online Resources)

• The Community Addictions Peers Support Association has partnered with Breaking Free Online to provide free access to Canadians for those with substance use disorders. Sign up at https://www.breakingfreeonline.ca/

  using the service code CAPSA2020.

• The Hope for Wellness Help Line is available to all Indigenous peoples seeking immediate crisis intervention across Canada at 1(855)242-3310 or through the online chat. Telephone counselling is available in Cree, Ojibway, Inuktitut, French, and English.

Financial Support

• Government of Canada - Information on the following financial support available to Albertans who are unable to work as a result of being impacted by this pandemic:

  • EI Benefit

  • Emergency Care Benefit

  • Emergency Support Benefit

  • Canada Child Benefit

  • Canada Student Loans & Canada Apprentice Loans – Pause on Payments

• Government of Alberta - Information on the following financial support available to Albertans who are unable to work as a result of being impacted by this pandemic:

  • Emergency Isolation Support

  • Utility Payment Deferral

  • Alberta Student Loans Payment Deferral

COVID-19 General Information

• Government of Alberta - Alberta.ca

• Alberta Health Services - AlbertaHealthServices.ca

  (Includes most up to date information and Online Screening/Self Assessment Tool, information about visiting health care facilities and housing)

• The World Health Organization

• The Public Health Agency of Canada

• REACH Edmonton - COVID-19 Community Resource Database

resources

• Understanding Schizophrenia and Psychosis – A guide for Families

• My Health Alberta - Caregiver Resources

• iHOPE Patient Discussion Tools

• SSA's Family and Caregivers Guide To Recovery

• Schizophrenia Research Institute Library

• Mental Wellness Today (SZ Magazine)

• Schizophrenia.com A non-profit community providing in-depth information, support and education related to schizophrenia, a disorder of the brain and mind.

• Get Help Early Working together to overcome psychosis.

• The Prevention and Early Intervention Program for Psychoses (PEPP)

• Dr. Yes Online youth education.

• Mind Your Mind This is a place for youth and emerging adults to access info, resources and tools during tough times. Help yourself. Help each other. Share what you live and know.The Early Psychosis Prevention and Intervention Centre (EPPIC) is an integrated and comprehensive psychiatric service aimed at addressing the needs of people aged 15-24 with emerging psychotic disorders in the western and north-western regions of Melbourne. EPPIC is a specialist clinical program of Orygen Youth Health (OYH) which is itself a component service of NorthWestern Mental Health and Melbourne Health.

• The Early Psychosis Prevention and Intervention Centre (EPPIC) 

• Iris the Dragon The Iris the Dragon book series and educational material facilitates the conversation between parents, teachers and children about mental health and wellness.

• Mental Health WORKS Mental Health Works is a nationally available program of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) that builds capacity within Canadian workplaces to effectively address the many issues related to mental health in the workplace. Canada will be releasing a voluntary standard for psychological health and safety in the workplace in 2012.

• Addiction and Mental Health Information and Services. This link provides a number of links to information and resources on mental health, substances and addiction to help improve the health and mental well-being of Albertans.

• Mental Health Act of Alberta.  The Mental Health Act of Alberta was enacted to provide safeguards, supports and supervision, for mentally ill individuals.  In 2004, the Minister of Health initiated the process to examine the Act to ensure that the legislation remains responsive to the needs of involuntary patients and to provide a community treatment option.

• The Mental Health Patient Advocate (MHPA) was established in 1990 under the Mental Health Act. The MHPA is legislated to help people who are or have been detained in hospital under admission or renewal certificates and people under community treatment orders (CTO), and those acting on their behalf, to understand and exercise their rights. MHPA may investigate complaints or refer the complainant to another body that can assist. 

• Rays of Hope This reference manual extends practical advice based on experience; experience that families have willingly shared for the benefit of readers. They have learned the importance of being armed with knowledge to deal with schizophrenia. It is upon their advice we have chosen various ideas and topics. We hope that by reading it, you will have a good start in learning about schizophrenia.

• The IMAGINE Program resource created by the Alliance of Otsuka and Lundbeck is now available click here"

• An interesting blog article from the UK. How Dogs Can Help with Mental Health – Mind Boosting Benefits of Dog Ownership

• TeenMentalHealth.org - Cannabis Resource

Videos 

• The Downside of High Teenagers who start smoking marijuana before the age of sixteen are four times more likely to become schizophrenic. That's the startling conclusion of some of the world's top schizophrenia experts, whose research is featured in the new documentary The Downside of High.

• Living with Schizophrenia is an uplifting 22 minute video that shows interviews with clients living with schizophrenia and mental health professionals who treat them. It shows that people with schizophrenia can live normal and happy lives.

• Mental Health Channel is the world's best mental health and wellness online programming, sharing real stories of those affected by mental illness.

• I Hear Voices - A Story on Schizophrenia is an example of what an individual with schizophrenia can experience and how the family reactions can affect the process of getting the right help. 

• A brief simulation of a psychotic episode depicted by individuals living with schizophrenia.

Facts About SSA

• 1 in 100 are living with schizophrenia, which is approximately 47,000 Albertans.

• In 2022, SSA provided support to over 18,000 individuals in 80 different communities throughout Alberta.

• SSA's programs help reduce the number of hospitals stays for those living with schizophrenia.

• SSA housing and support programs cost one quarter of the price of a day in hospital.

• SSA provides supportive employment to over 200 people living with schizophrenia in a variety of peer support and community education positions.

• In 2022, SSA reached 4,528 people through 190 Community Education Presentations that were held across the province.

• SSA’s Community Education Presentations increase awareness while reducing stigma and discrimination. After our high school and university presentations, we often have young people come forward and ask for help.

Facts about schizophrenia

• Schizophrenia is a physical disorder affecting the brain, and therefore can affect perception and behaviour.

• Schizophrenia is a treatable disorder. The majority of people will experience either considerable reduction in symptoms after treatment, or no further symptoms.

• People with schizophrenia are more likely to harm themselves than another person.

• Schizophrenia is NOT a multiple personality disorder.

• Schizophrenia is NOT caused by bad parenting.

• Currently, the cause of schizophrenia is unknown. It is believed that genetics are involved; research is ongoing.  

• People with schizophrenia are people with talent, potential and capability. 

• Schizophrenia is ten times more common than AIDS, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and melanoma combined 

• 1 in 10 people with schizophrenia end their own lives – often because they are isolated and don’t receive the help and support they need.

• Schizophrenia strikes men and women equally, and affects people of all racial, ethnic, class and economic backgrounds.

• Schizophrenia generally strikes young people in the prime of their lives, in their late teens and early adult years.

• Families are greatly disrupted by schizophrenia. Families are usually the primary care providers of people with schizophrenia. They must cope with the unpredictability of the individual affected, the side effects of medication, and with the frustration and worry about their loved one’s future.

• Schizophrenia has a profound impact on a person’s development and ability to function in all aspects of life including self-care, family and social relationships, education, employment and housing Schizophrenia is ranked the third most disabling condition in the world.

• Substance use/abuse is common among people with schizophrenia. Up to 80% of people with schizophrenia will abuse substances in their lifetime.

• Relapse is associated with negative personal views and self-blame

• Approximately 70% of individuals with schizophrenia have positive outcomes with the appropriate treatment

• As many of 96% of individuals with schizophrenia experience discrimination