PSYCHOSIS
SUCKS
IF THERE'S NO ONE THERE TO CATCH YOU:
Reach
Out Youth Concert Tour comes to Northern BC
The BC Schizophrenia
Society and BC Partners of
Mental Health and Addiction Information are harnessing the power
of music to change attitudes about psychosis and promote early and
more effective treatment for this devastating brain condition. The
popular Reach Out high school awareness
program, which has been bringing its free concert and spoken word
tour to lower mainland high schools since 2005, is, for the first
time, visiting high schools and correctional facilities in the Queen
Charlotte Islands .
Slam poet
Barbara Adler and popular band Ten
Ways From Sunday will be helping to reduce the stigma
associated with a mental illness and to promote early treatment
for psychosis, a brain condition that first strikes in early adulthood.
Both Barbara and the band are very exited to be part of Reach Out.
Matt Layzell, the lead singer of Ten Ways From Sunday says, “we
have all been affected personally by mental illness in one way or
another, and to reduce the stigma surrounding such a prevalent issue
means a lot to all of us.” Prizes are given away during the live
shows, plus visitors to the website www.reachoutpsychosis.com
can enter to win prizes.
The theme
of Reach Out is: “Psychosis sucks
if there is no one there to catch you!” The phrase was
coined by a group of young people who had experienced psychosis
and recovered to point out the need for support from family and
friends. Psychosis usually occurs between the ages of 15 and 25,
a time when the illness can derail a young persons life, if left
untreated. Through Reach Out , the BC
Schizophrenia Society wants to help young people to help
their friends who might be ill to get to their doctor right away
for assessment and treatment . Early medical attention
is critical to minimize and correct damage to the brain as soon
as possible.
Psychosis
is a condition affecting the brain. It affects 3 out of 100 people,
and is six times more common than type one diabetes. Awareness of
the facts can have a big impact on young people's lives and health.
Early treatment for this brain condition makes a huge difference
in how quickly and completely people recover.
The
tour kicks off September 24th and will be performing at the following
locations:
September
24 11 A.M. Prince George Youth Custody
Center , Prince George
September
24 3- 6 P.M. Prince George Regional Correctional
Facility, Prince George
September
25 1:15 - 2:15 P.M. Nechako Valley Secondary,
Vanderhoof
September
26 9:30 - 10:30 A.M. Houston Secondary, Houston
September
26 1-2 & 2-3 P.M. Smithers Secondary,
Smithers
September
27 9- 10 A.M. Queen Charlotte Secondary School (with
Al Mathers and Sk'aadgaa Elementary) Queen Charlotte
September
27 2-3 P.M. George M Dawson Secondary (with Port Clements
Secondary and TahayghenElementary),Massett
October
2 10- 11 A.M. Performing Arts Center , Prince Rupert
October 3
9- 10 A.M. Mount Elizabeth Secondary, Kitimat
October 3
2- 3 P.M. Caledonia Senior Secondary, Terrace
October 4
9- 10 A.M. Thornhill Junior Secondary, Terrace
October 4
2-3 P.M. Hazelton Secondary, Hazelton
According
to tour coordinator Carola Tize, “We are very excited about Reach
Out . We have had incredible success in bringing
across an important message, as well as creating a fun filled and
interactive atmosphere.” Concerts are presented free
of charge to schools and are suitable for assembly
presentations. More information on booking a concerts, information
on the performers and psychosis information is available at www.reachoutpsychosis.com
Info on the BC Schizophrenia Society: www.bcss.org
•
Contact: Carola Tize (Tour Coordinator & MC) cell: 778 227
1684 reachout@bcss.org
;
•
Sophia Kelly (Program Manager) hm: 604-255-4423 cell: 604-813-7674
psychosis@bcss.org
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