| About Us
ReachOut is a program
of the BC Schizophrenia Society with
funding from BC Partners of Mental
Health and Addictions Information. We are proud to
present ReachOut, a program which educates young people and
their parents about psychosis, and in a fun and interactive
environment reduces the stigma surrounding mental illness.
(Click
here for a video showing what our presentation is like.)
Information
for Families and Teachers In
addition to the school concert for youth, ReachOut also provides
resources and information for teachers and parents education
program. Teachers are given a cd of resources on psychosis,
and parents groups are provided with information and presentations
on how to spot and stop this brain condition early. Early
medical treatment of psychosis is very important to ensuring
that young people make a full and speedy recovery.
Click here for information
and resources for parents, siblings and teachers.
ReachOut Performances Performances by the
popular Vancouver band Ten
Ways from Sunday and slam poet
Barbara Adler are interspersed
with psychosis information and tons of prizes from our Sponsors to help educate young people about psychosis. ReachOut is a dynamic performance suited either for high school
assemblies or lunch hours, as well as universities and evening
shows.
ReachOut started touring lower mainland high schools in the spring
of 2005, and continued to do so in the spring of 2006. Through
its huge success Reac Out received more funding and sponsors,
which has allowed the program to perform all year long (click
here to find out what people have said about ReachOut).
This extended funding also allowed us to travel through
British Columbia to places like Kelowna, Penticton, Vernon,
Pemberton, Williams Lake, Prince George and Victoria throughout
the fall of 2006 and spring of 2007. (click
here to find out more about our Tours and local dates).
ReachOut's Message
The
goal of ReachOut is to bring down barriers that exist around
psychosis through music, slam poetry and fun, and to increase
the chances of early intervention.
Psychosis
is a topic that needs to be addressed in both high schools
and universities, purely based on the large amount of misconceptions
and the high prevalence.
Psychosis
has no borders and affects 3% of the population at some point
during their life, which makes it 6 times more common than diabetes!
Most experience the first symptoms during high school or early
university, and it can be a scary and intimidating time for
affected individuals as well as those close to them. Early
intervention is extremely important to increase the chances
of full recovery. The earlier individuals receive treatment,
the better it is. This is why we are educating young people,
their teachers and families on how to spot and stop psychosis
early.(to learn
more about psychosis click here)
The
Focus of ReachOut's Message:
-
Psychosis
affects 3% of the population (6 times more common than
diabetes) and the first onset usually occurs between 16
and 25
-
Causes of psychosis (eg: bipolar disorder,
schizophrenia, drug induced psychosis etc.)
-
Basic symptoms
-
What psychosis looks like to someone else
(how a person with psychosis might act)
-
What it might feel like to have psychosis
-
There is treatment and early intervention
is important to increase the chances of full recovery
-
Where to go for help, both online and
within the region
Education
about the early signs and symptoms of psychosis can save countless
young lives.
To
find out more about Reach Out, and how to book us please click
here
|
