People with schizophrenia and psychosis-related challenges suffer from high rates of social isolation, loneliness and marginalization, as do their family members, loved ones, and caregivers. But there is a desperate lack of programs that provide the practical and social support they need to navigate this serious brain disease.
S&PAA is leading the nation in offering hope-oriented, person-centered support groups exclusively for schizophrenia and psychosis disorders. These support groups are tailored to the unique challenges, considerations, treatment journeys, recovery experiences, and more for this population, as our community’s needs differ dramatically from other mental health conditions.
We manage support groups that serve people with schizophrenia as well as those serving caregivers, loved ones, and family members. Our community’s demand for these groups is much higher than our current resources and staff capacity can meet, and a waiting list exists for many of our support groups.
As we work hard to build capacity and expand group offerings in coming months and years, we seek support to allow us to expand the number of support groups and provide additional oversight and management of this expanded network.
S&PAA also runs a resource line that provides personalized non-crisis help for people with schizophrenia-related challenges and those who care for them. The resource line is supported by a resource library of common questions and concerns for our community. Due to the complex, always-changing laws and practices that vary across national, state and local levels, compiling a comprehensive database of information will take our team to build in coming years. Our goal is to develop a continually updated system of information that can be shared with the community, which will enhance the quality of support we offer and help ensure that accurate, up-to-date information is readily available, promoting a culture of education, understanding and empowerment within the community.
